
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Santa Barbara Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA from $1,389 (25 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Santa Barbara area of Santa Barbara.


526 Anacapa St

Villa Flores Apartments

121 W Arrellaga St, Unit 005

El Jardin

30
Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

Brentwood

Park East Apartments

Arlington Village

152- 1825 Chapala LLC

Alta Vista Garden Apartments

203 Ladera St
Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

Palm Gardens Apartments

Ivy at Arrellaga

Coronel Apartments

Olive Street Lofts

Ivy at Carrillo

Soltara
How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

Alena on Haley

1105 N Milpas St

Plaza Riviera

314 W Mission St

201 Ladera St

418 E Sola St
What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much
Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

Ivy at Anapamu
Downtown Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Downtown Santa Barbara?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Santa Barbara 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,621 | $1,389 | $6,000 |
| Downtown Santa Barbara 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,749 | $3,695 | $5,800 |
| Downtown Santa Barbara 3 Bedroom Apartments | $6,049 | $4,595 | $7,550 |
| Downtown Santa Barbara 4 Bedroom Apartments | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 25 rentals with your search options within a 1 mile radius of the Downtown Santa Barbara Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA.
See all Apartments in Santa BarbaraExplore Santa Barbara
Downtown Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide
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Cheapest Available Downtown Santa Barbara Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Santa Barbara area of Santa Barbara, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Villa Flores Apartments priced from $2,525. El Jardin has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 2 Beds apartment currently listed from $4,450. Here are the most affordable Downtown Santa Barbara apartments for rent in Santa Barbara, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villa Flores Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,525 |
| El Jardin | Two Bedroom, One Bathroom 2E | 2BR,1BA | $4,450 |
| 1524 Garden St | 3BR Suite | 3BR,2BA | $4,600 |
| 825 De la Vina St | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $5,450 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Santa Barbara, CA
As of August 22, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Santa Barbara area is the $4.80 price per square foot 415 Rancheria St Model at 415 Rancheria St, Unit 4 in the in the Westside neighborhood starting from $6,000. The second greatest value Downtown Santa Barbara apartment is the 3BR Suite Model at 1524 Garden St starting at $4,600 with a $4.38 price per square foot in the Westside neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Santa Barbara apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 415 Rancheria St, Unit 4 | 415 Rancheria St | 4BR,1.5BA | $4.80 |
| 1524 Garden St | 3BR Suite | 3BR,2BA | $4.38 |
| El Jardin | Two Bedroom, One Bathroom 2G | 2BR,1BA | $7.24 |
| 825 De la Vina St | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $7.22 |
| Villa Flores Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $4.21 |
| The Arroyo House Student Living. | Mission Triple | 1BR,1BA | $4.62 |
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.
Read ArticleReal Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University
From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.
Read ArticleQuick 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.
Pet Friendly LifestyleDowntown Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Ranked #38
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
2.5Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Downtown Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
McKinley Elementary School
Santa Barbara Senior High
Santa Barbara Junior High
School data provided by Great Schools
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Santa Barbara Apartments
How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom Downtown Santa Barbara Apartment?
The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom Downtown Santa Barbara Apartment is $2,525 at Villa Flores Apartments.
What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom Downtown Santa Barbara Apartment for rent?
Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in Downtown Santa Barbara is starting from $4,450 at El Jardin.
What is the most affordable Downtown Santa Barbara Three Bedroom Apartment?
The best deal on a cheap Downtown Santa Barbara Three Bedroom Apartment rental is at 1524 Garden St and starts from $4,600.
Expert Rental Resources
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.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Written by: Robin Stewart
The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags
Written by: Robin Stewart
Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently
Written by: Robin Stewart
Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
Written by: Robin Stewart
Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.