Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Bel Air Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA from $1,200 (17 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Bel Air area of Santa Barbara.

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Tori Fore
1 Bedroom Apartments

Tori Fore

3790 San Remo DrSanta Barbara, CA 93105
  • Utilities Included
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Brentwood
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Brentwood

1429 De La Vina StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
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De La Vina Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

De La Vina Apartments

3754 San Remo DrSanta Barbara, CA 93105
  • Utilities Included

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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Park East Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Park East Apartments

322-324 E Micheltorena StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
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3450 Richland Dr
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

3450 Richland Dr

3450 Richland DrSanta Barbara, CA 93105
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Arlington Village
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Arlington Village

1330 Chapala StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
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2102 Bath St
1 Bedroom Apartments

2102 Bath St

2102 Bath StSanta Barbara, CA 93105

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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2126 Castillo St
2 Bedroom Apartments

2126 Castillo St

2126 Castillo StSanta Barbara, CA 93105
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Palm Gardens Apartments
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Palm Gardens Apartments

1120-1130 San Andres StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
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Mediterranean Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Mediterranean Apartments

2400 De La Vina StSanta Barbara, CA 93105
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203 Ladera St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

203 Ladera St

203 Ladera StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
Furnished
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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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Cliff House
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Cliff House

1040 Cliff DrSanta Barbara, CA 93109
  • Utilities Included

Bel Air, Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Bel Air Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Bel Air area of Santa Barbara, CA is a 3 Beds unit found at The Arroyo House Student Living. priced from $1,285. 152- 1825 Chapala LLC has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,250. Here are the most affordable Bel Air apartments for rent in Santa Barbara, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Arroyo House Student Living.Old Mesa3BR,1BA$1,285
152- 1825 Chapala LLC1bed/1bath1BR,1BA$2,250
Hope RanchLucero1BR,1BA$2,477
Rancho Franciscan Senior ApartmentsThe Poppy Plan1BR,1BA$2,928
201 Ladera St2/1.52BR,1BA$3,395

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Bel Air, CA

As of November 14, 2025 the best value apartment in the Bel Air area is the $2.95 price per square foot 2/2 Model at Los Robles - Senior 55+ in the in the Upper State neighborhood starting from $3,900. The second greatest value Bel Air apartment is the 521 E Arrellaga St Model at 521 E Arrellaga St, Unit 11 starting at $3,600 with a $2.77 price per square foot in the Westside neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Bel Air apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Los Robles - Senior 55+2/21BR,2BA$2.95
521 E Arrellaga St, Unit 11521 E Arrellaga St2BR,2BA$2.77
415 Rancheria St, Unit 4415 Rancheria St4BR,1.5BA$5.04
The MarcPlan 3A3BR,2BA$5.12
825 De la Vina St3011BR,1BA$7.78
Citywalk2x12BR,1BA$5.56
Rancho Franciscan Senior ApartmentsThe Poppy Plan1BR,1BA$5.41
Hope RanchLucero1BR,1BA$4.81
The Arroyo House Student Living.Foothill1BR,1BA$3.75
201 Ladera St3/23BR,2BA$87.90

Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know

From the lounge to the laundry room, understand your rights and responsibilities in shared apartment spaces. Get tips on pet rules, noise, and security.

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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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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Bel Air, Santa Barbara, CA

Ranked #27

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving.com works hard to bring you our detailed rental search system called 'Lifestyle ratings', composed of neighborhoods, areas, and rental properties across California including Bel Air, Santa Barbara, and the greater Santa Barbara area. LifeStyle Ratings are a useful tool for comparing and sorting apartments and neighborhoods when choosing your rental home. This takes in many factors including searching for the best amenities, and convenient access to the outdoors, pet-friendly features, family-friendly amenities, proximity to transit, and other valuable search options. Use Lifestyle Search in the site filter options on this page - and find your Perfect place!

Getting Around the Bel Air Neighborhood in Santa Barbara, CA

Walk Score®

51 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

63 / 100

Bikeable

Some bike infrastructure

Transit Score®

35 / 100

Some Transit

A few nearby public transportation options

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Bel Air Apartments

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Bel Air?

The cheapest apartment in Bel Air is The Arroyo House Student Living. which is listed at $1,285, while the average apartment in Bel Air costs $6,300.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Bel Air?

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 12 regular apartments in Bel Air 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 Bel Air?

Cheap apartments in Bel Air have an average cost of $434 which is $5,866 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Bel Air.

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.

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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.

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How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everything is a negotiation in real estate! 

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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.

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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.