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$1,285 - $1,5001 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
The Arroyo House Student Living.
543 1/2 Arroyo AveSanta Barbara, CA 93109
Cheap Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA from $800 (11 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Santa Barbara.
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Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between
Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.
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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls
When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.
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Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide
Surfers in Santa Barbara by Damian Gadal is licensed under CC BY 2.0
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Santa Barbara?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap Santa Barbara Studio Apartments | $2,645 | $1,525 | $3,450 |
| Cheap Santa Barbara 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,834 | $1,285 | $5,600 |
| Cheap Santa Barbara 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,636 | $1,285 | $5,950 |
| Cheap Santa Barbara 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,236 | $1,250 | $10,000+ |
| Cheap Santa Barbara 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,782 | $1,100 | $10,000+ |
Browse Top Apartments in Santa Barbara
See all Apartments in Santa BarbaraExplore Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide
Written By:
Staff Writer Local Guide Expert
- Santa Barbara Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
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- Local Counties
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Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Santa Barbara, CA
Pricing Updated: 11/26/2025Current apartment rentals in the Santa Barbara, CA area range in price from $1,100 to $19,000 with an overall median price of $5,561. The three Santa Barbara neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Cielito at $2,250, Lower Riviera at $2,450, and Mission Canyon at $2,250. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Santa Barbara Apartments for rent:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cielito | $3,600 | $2,250 | 8 |
| Lower Riviera | $3,600 | $2,450 | 4 |
| Mission Canyon | $3,600 | $2,250 | 10 |
| Riviera | $3,600 | $2,450 | 4 |
| Elings Park | $3,697 | $1,285 | 24 |
| Hitchcock | $3,697 | $1,285 | 24 |
| Laguna | $3,700 | $2,450 | 5 |
| Oak Park | $3,795 | $2,995 | 1 |
| Eucalpytus Hill | $3,800 | $2,450 | 5 |
| Campanil | $3,895 | $2,826 | 6 |
Cheapest Available Santa Barbara Apartments for Rent
The cheapest available apartment rental in Santa Barbara, CA is a Studio unit found at The Loop in the Cabrillo Business Park neighborhood priced from $1,050. The Arroyo House Student Living. in the Downtown Santa Barbara neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 3 Beds apartment currently listed from $1,285. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Santa Barbara apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Loop | STUDIO - Affordable | Studio,1BA | $1,050 |
| The Arroyo House Student Living. | Old Mesa | 3BR,1BA | $1,285 |
| Villa Flores Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,120 |
| 152- 1825 Chapala LLC | 1bed/1bath | 1BR,1BA | $2,250 |
| Hope Ranch | Continental | 1BR,1BA | $2,667 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA
As of November 26, 2025 the best value apartment in the Santa Barbara area is the $2.86 price per square foot Flat Model at La Colina Gardens in the in the Foothill neighborhood starting from $4,000. The second greatest value Santa Barbara apartment is the 2/2 Model at Los Robles - Senior 55+ starting at $3,900 with a $2.95 price per square foot in the Upper State neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Santa Barbara apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Colina Gardens | Flat | 2BR,2BA | $2.86 |
| Los Robles - Senior 55+ | 2/2 | 1BR,2BA | $2.95 |
| 521 E Arrellaga St, Unit 11 | 521 E Arrellaga St | 2BR,2BA | $2.77 |
| 4817 San Gordiano Ave, Unit San Gordiano Ave Apt B | 4817 San Gordiano Ave | 2BR,1BA | $3.37 |
| Tropicana Student Housing | Tropicana Gardens | 3BR,2BA | $2.01 |
| 333 Mathilda Dr, Unit Casa De Paz | 333 Mathilda Dr | 1BR,1BA | $3.85 |
| Villa Flores Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $3.53 |
| Breakpointe Coronado | Coronado 1x1A | 1BR,1BA | $3.27 |
| The Loop | STUDIO - Double | Studio ,1BA | $3.60 |
| The Arroyo House Student Living. | Foothill | 1BR,1BA | $3.75 |
Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.
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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro
Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.
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Santa Barbara Overview
Santa Barbara is a lovely beach town with a small town Spanish flavor. Residents of apartments in Santa Barbarahave access to miles of beautiful beaches, world-class colleges, a beautiful downtown, a slower pace of life and an abundance of opportunities to explore nature.
Why live in Santa Barbara, CA?
With its sparkling, sunny beaches, Mediterranean climate, and beautiful Spanish architecture, there’s no wonder so many people call Santa Barbara home. The pace of life is slower here, and every problem can be solved by a trip (or two) to the beach. It’s far enough away from Los Angeles to feel like you’ve left the city while close enough to nature to feel at home. Its many distinct shops, interesting houses and museums make Santa Barbara a truly unique and charming city.
Best Local Schools in Santa Barbara, CA
Cold Spring Elementary
Cold Spring Elementary School District
Public School - Grades K-6 (193)
9 out of 10
San Marcos Senior High
Santa Barbara Unified School District
Public School - Grades 9-12 (2020)
8 out of 10
La Colina Junior High
Santa Barbara Unified School District
Public School - Grades 7-8 (900)
8 out of 10
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Santa Barbara, CA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Santa Barbara, CA
Getting Around Santa Barbara, CA
Walk Score®
82 / 100
Very Walkable
Most errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
84 / 100
Very Bikeable
Biking is convenient for most trips
Transit Score®
39 / 100
Some Transit
A few nearby public transportation options
What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?
- Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
- Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
- Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Santa Barbara Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Santa Barbara?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Santa Barbara is under $3,095.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Santa Barbara?
The cheapest apartment in Santa Barbara is The Arroyo House Student Living. which is listed at $1,285, while the average apartment in Santa Barbara costs $5,561.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Santa Barbara?
Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 188 regular apartments in Santa Barbara that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Santa Barbara?
Cheap apartments in Santa Barbara have an average cost of $620 which is $4,941 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Santa Barbara.
Expert Rental Resources
Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips
The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.
Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Back in the day when I rented one of my first apartments, the property didn’t even have laundry in the building. Now, rental properties are often competing against each other to provide the best amenities.
How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Everything is a negotiation in real estate!
The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters
Written by: Trey Huguley
The move-in inspection checklist is a crucial tool for both tenants and landlords. This checklist, provided by the team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, helps document the condition of an apartment at the time of move-in.
Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
For many people, obstacles can arise during the rental application process for a variety of issues.