
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the East Mesa Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA from $1,600 (27 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the East Mesa area of Santa Barbara.


323 W Islay St, Unit E

Alena on Haley

Channel View Apartments

800 Santa Barbara

Total Monthly Price
232 W Micheltorena St, Unit 1
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.

609 W Junipero St

Brentwood

551-555 W Pueblo St

Arlington Village

Lis

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.

Cliff House

Palm Gardens Apartments

Ivy at Arrellaga

Ocean View Apartments

Cabana Island View Apartments

121 W Arrellaga St
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.

Olive Street Lofts

Coronel Apartments

Ivy at Carrillo

Soltara

201 Ladera St

314 W Mission 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.

The Messina

829 Marilla Ave

401 Terrace Rd
East Mesa, Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in East Mesa?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Mesa Studio Apartments | $3,612 | $3,200 | $4,000 |
| East Mesa 1 Bedroom Apartments | $4,490 | $2,950 | $6,000 |
| East Mesa 2 Bedroom Apartments | $5,001 | $3,675 | $6,800 |
| East Mesa 3 Bedroom Apartments | $6,060 | $4,650 | $7,550 |
| East Mesa 4 Bedroom Apartments | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 27 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the East Mesa Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA.
See all Apartments in Santa BarbaraExplore Santa Barbara
East Mesa, Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide
- Nearby Santa Barbara neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Available East Mesa Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the East Mesa area of Santa Barbara, CA is a Studio unit found at Alena on Haley priced from $3,200. Channel View Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $3,400. Here are the most affordable East Mesa apartments for rent in Santa Barbara, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alena on Haley | Studio | Studio,1BA | $3,200 |
| Channel View Apartments | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $3,400 |
| The Messina | 2Bed2Bath-A | 2BR,2BA | $3,450 |
| El Jardin | Two Bedroom, Two Bathroom 2D (mkt) | 2BR,2BA | $4,400 |
| 825 De la Vina St | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $5,450 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in East Mesa, CA
As of July 26, 2026 the best value apartment in the East Mesa area is the $3.88 price per square foot 605 W Anapamu St Model at 605 W Anapamu St in the in the Westside neighborhood starting from $5,000. The second greatest value East Mesa apartment is the 415 Rancheria St Model at 415 Rancheria St, Unit 4 starting at $6,000 with a $4.80 price per square foot in the Westside neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for East Mesa apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 605 W Anapamu St | 605 W Anapamu St | 3BR,2.5BA | $3.88 |
| 415 Rancheria St, Unit 4 | 415 Rancheria St | 4BR,1.5BA | $4.80 |
| The Messina | 2Bed2Bath-A | 2BR,2BA | $4.06 |
| El Jardin | Two Bedroom, One Bathroom 2G | 2BR,1BA | $7.24 |
| 825 De la Vina St | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $7.22 |
| Channel View Apartments | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $5.67 |
| Alena on Haley | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $7.46 |
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 LifestyleEast Mesa, Santa Barbara, CA
Ranked #30
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
3.5Pet Friendly
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap East Mesa Apartments
How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom East Mesa Apartment?
The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom East Mesa Apartment is $3,400 at Channel View Apartments.
What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom East Mesa Apartment for rent?
Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in East Mesa is starting from $3,450 at The Messina.
What is the most affordable East Mesa Three Bedroom Apartment?
The best deal on a cheap East Mesa Three Bedroom Apartment rental is at El Jardin and starts from $4,900.
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.

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.

Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention
Written by: Robin Stewart
There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
Written by: Robin Stewart
Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.