Santa Barbara, CA—93105
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Santa Barbara, CA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Santa Barbara, CA is $1,857,000, with a year-over-year change of -2.4%. This indicates that home prices in Santa Barbara, CA are decreasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 3.1%, suggesting an increase housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $1,857,000 | -2.4% |
| Single Family | $1,975,000 | -2.9% |
| Condos | $982,000 | -0.4% |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | $868,000 | -2.6% |
2 Bed | $1,364,000 | 0.4% |
3 Bed | $1,925,000 | -2.3% |
4 Bed | $2,395,000 | -3.1% |
| 5 Bed | $3,019,000 | -2.7% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Santa Barbara, CA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Santa Barbara, CA is $5,280, with a year-over-year rent change of -3.3%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Santa Barbara, CA is studios: $2,400, 1-bedrooms: $2,460, 2-bedrooms: $4,420, 3-bedrooms: $7,320, 4-bedrooms: $7,780. The most common rental property sizes in Santa Barbara, CA are 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom, accounting for 40.4% and 31.0% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $4,850 | $5,280 |
| Studio Rent | $2,400 | $2,400 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $2,400 | $2,460 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $3,950 | $4,420 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $7,000 | $7,320 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $7,500 | $7,780 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Santa Barbara, CA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Santa Barbara, CA is 66. This is a decrease of -7.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market shorter than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 22.0%, representing a small inventory and little supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $2,200,000 | -11.0% |
Listing Count | 74 | 23.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.2% | 23.0% |
Days on Market | 66 | -7.0% |
Demographics — Santa Barbara, CA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Santa Barbara, CA has a population of 25,100, which has decreased by -8.9% over the past 5 years. Santa Barbara, CA is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 16.7% of the population. The area has a highly educated workforce, with 59.7% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are many residents working remotely, with 26.3% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 25,100 | -8.9% |
% Under 18 | 16.7% | -4.0% |
% Seniors | 28.1% | 13.3% |
% WFH | 26.3% | 185.9% |
% w/ College Degree | 59.7% | -1.6% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Santa Barbara, CA is a predominantly white area, with 67.4% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 6.0% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Santa Barbara, CA is hispanic, making up 22.4% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 13.2% of the population in Santa Barbara, CA, and this percentage has decreased by 14.8% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting fewer immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 67.4% | -6.0% |
% Black | 1.4% | 100.0% |
% Hispanic | 22.4% | 8.7% |
% Asian | 3.2% | -23.8% |
% Foreign Born | 13.2% | -14.8% |
Mortgage and Risk — Santa Barbara, CA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 231 mortgage originations in Santa Barbara, CA, of which 97.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 38.0%, with 0.0% above 90% LTV (normal). This implies small mortgage risk in Santa Barbara, CA. Investor activity is low, as 3.0% of loans were by investors. 13.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting many homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 231 |
% Conventional Loans | 97.0% |
% Government Loans | 3.0% |
% Investor Loans | 3.0% |
% Second Loans | 7.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 13.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Santa Barbara, CA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Santa Barbara, CA under the Section 8 program is 7.7%. This is considered low, suggesting that the neighborhood is sparsely composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. 1-bedroom units appear to be good home sizes to consider for Section 8 housing in Santa Barbara, CA, because HUD payments exceed market rent, while 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 439 |
Total Units Section 8 | 439 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 7.7% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 89.0% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $730 | $2,400 | $3,130 |
| 2 Bedroom | -$420 | $3,950 | $3,530 |
| 3 Bedroom | -$2,320 | $7,000 | $4,680 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$2,290 | $7,500 | $5,210 |
Affordability — Santa Barbara, CA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 13.7 |
| Median Home Price | $1,857,000 |
| Median Household Income | $130,000 |