Living in Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara is the 419th-largest city in the US, home to about 86,000 people in 2025. It has lost 2.7% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (108.8 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 86,422-2.7% since 2020
- Median home value
- $1,570,80014.8 years of median income
- Median rent
- $2,413/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $106,182median, per year
- Price level
- 108.8US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 67° / 76°lows 47° / 60°
- Average commute
- 17 min19% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: Santa Barbara County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 49 ft
Metro area: Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Cost of living in Santa Barbara
The median home in Santa Barbara is worth $1,570,800 and the median household earns $106,182 a year, so a typical home costs about 14.8 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,413 a month, about 27% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area at 108.8, with housing at 151.4 and goods at 105.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $81,600 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara weather
Average highs run from 67°F in January to 76°F in July, and January nights average 46°F. It gets 19 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. The most comfortable months are January to December.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Santa Barbara
People and work
The median resident is 39.7 years old, and 52% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 40% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 17 minutes; 19% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 39.7439th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 52%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 40%of households
- People per sq mile
- 4,43419.5 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%4% walk, 3.2% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.8%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 14%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1965median year
Who moves to Santa Barbara, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Anaheim (Orange County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Anaheim (Orange County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Santa Barbara County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: drought, landslide, wildfire, inland flooding.
Home prices
+2.3% in a year
Up 44% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
45% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Santa Barbara
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Santa Barbara City College in Santa Barbara
- Ventura College 28 miles
- Westmont College 3 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Santa Barbara
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara Municipal Airport SBA | 8 mi | 696,396 |
| San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport SBP | 78 mi | 366,428 |
| Hollywood Burbank Airport BUR | 78 mi | 3,383,237 |
| Meadows Field Airport BFL | 79 mi | 195,148 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Santa Barbara
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Santa Barbara | 8 mi | 23,113 | $16,807 | 84% |
| Santa Barbara City College | in town | 9,889 | $2,684 | 32% |
| Westmont College | 3 mi | 1,302 | $29,343 | 68% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Santa Barbara
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 13, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around December 30 and the first frost comes around January 6.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Santa Barbara, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Santa Barbara.
Wildfire smoke in Santa Barbara
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Santa Barbara on about 35 days a year, including about 9 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Santa Barbara
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 36,291 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Santa Barbara
Downtown Santa Barbara is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara Unified School District | K to 12 | 12,250 | 21 | 18.9 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Goleta Union Elementary School District (3,395 students), Carpinteria Unified School District (1,924 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Santa Barbara's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Santa Barbara's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- San Mateo, CA66% matchCompare
- Fremont, CA66% matchCompare
- Alameda, CA65% matchCompare
- Berkeley, CA63% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Santa Barbara
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Santa Barbara
- Mount Waterman 101 miles
- Buckhorn Ski Club 102 miles
- Kratka Ridge 103 miles
- Alta Sierra Ski Resort 110 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Santa Barbara
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data 12 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 67°F.
- Data Commutes are short: 17 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 14.8 years of median household income.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 9% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
Santa Barbara report card from locals
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Cities near Santa Barbara
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ventura, CA | 27 mi | 109,914 | $827,300 | 110.5 | Compare |
| Oxnard, CA | 34 mi | 199,651 | $652,700 | 110.5 | Compare |
| Thousand Oaks, CA | 52 mi | 122,230 | $991,600 | 110.5 | Compare |
| Simi Valley, CA | 53 mi | 124,861 | $823,800 | 110.5 | Compare |
| Santa Maria, CA | 56 mi | 111,390 | $531,700 | 108.8 | Compare |
| Santa Clarita, CA | 66 mi | 228,430 | $784,700 | 113.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Santa Barbara with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Santa Barbara a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 12 comfortable months a year, short commutes; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes, a shrinking population. Compare Santa Barbara side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Santa Barbara?
The Census Bureau estimates Santa Barbara had 86,422 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 88,785 in April 2020 (-2.7%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Santa Barbara?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $81,600 in the Santa Barbara area. The median household here earns $106,182.
When is the best time to visit Santa Barbara?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, January to December are the most comfortable months. July averages 76°F and January 67°F for daytime highs.
What county is Santa Barbara in?
Santa Barbara is in Santa Barbara County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Santa Barbara in?
Santa Barbara is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Santa Barbara?
About 49 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Santa Barbara. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Santa Barbara, CA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.