Santa Barbara, CA—93110
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 $1,858,000, with a year-over-year change of -0.6%. This indicates that home prices in Santa Barbara, CA are flat. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 3.6%, suggesting an increase housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $1,858,000 | -0.6% |
| Single Family | $2,116,000 | 0.0% |
| Condos | $916,000 | -3.1% |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | N/A | N/A |
2 Bed | $1,031,000 | -3.3% |
3 Bed | $1,788,000 | -0.2% |
4 Bed | $2,417,000 | 0.5% |
| 5 Bed | $4,390,000 | 0.4% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Santa Barbara, CA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Santa Barbara, CA is $4,430, with a year-over-year rent change of -12.6%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Santa Barbara, CA is studios: $2,420, 1-bedrooms: $2,870, 2-bedrooms: $4,240, 3-bedrooms: $5,790, 4-bedrooms: $9,500. The most common rental property sizes in Santa Barbara, CA are 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom, accounting for 32.0% and 30.4% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,980 | $4,430 |
| Studio Rent | $2,420 | $2,420 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $2,820 | $2,870 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $3,480 | $4,240 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $5,500 | $5,790 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $9,500 | $9,500 |
% 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 137. This is a increase of 80.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 16.0%, representing a small inventory and little supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $7,070,000 | 59.0% |
Listing Count | 38 | 27.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.2% | 27.0% |
Days on Market | 137 | 80.0% |
Demographics — Santa Barbara, CA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Santa Barbara, CA has a population of 16,400, which has decreased by -1.7% over the past 5 years. Santa Barbara, CA is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 17.8% of the population. The area has a highly educated workforce, with 48.3% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are some residents working remotely, with 19.9% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 16,400 | -1.7% |
% Under 18 | 17.8% | -3.8% |
% Seniors | 23.3% | 4.0% |
% WFH | 19.9% | 67.2% |
% w/ College Degree | 48.3% | 5.2% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Santa Barbara, CA is a predominantly white area, with 58.5% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 7.3% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Santa Barbara, CA is hispanic, making up 31.6% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 17.1% of the population in Santa Barbara, CA, and this percentage has increased by 17.1% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 58.5% | -7.3% |
% Black | 1.6% | -20.0% |
% Hispanic | 31.6% | 17.5% |
% Asian | 4.9% | -3.9% |
% Foreign Born | 17.1% | 17.1% |
Mortgage and Risk — Santa Barbara, CA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 125 mortgage originations in Santa Barbara, CA, of which 98.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 36.0%, with 1.0% above 90% LTV (normal). This implies small mortgage risk in Santa Barbara, CA. Investor activity is low, as 1.0% of loans were by investors. 12.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting many homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 125 |
% Conventional Loans | 98.0% |
% Government Loans | 2.0% |
% Investor Loans | 1.0% |
% Second Loans | 6.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 12.0% |
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 11.9%. 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 | 392 |
Total Units Section 8 | 298 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 11.9% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 88.0% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $230 | $2,820 | $3,050 |
| 2 Bedroom | -$40 | $3,480 | $3,440 |
| 3 Bedroom | -$940 | $5,500 | $4,560 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$4,420 | $9,500 | $5,080 |
Affordability — Santa Barbara, CA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 14.6 |
| Median Home Price | $1,858,000 |
| Median Household Income | $119,000 |