Cheap Homes for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA from $1,200 (8 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Homes available for rent right now in Santa Barbara.

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.

property at 665 Alto Dr

665 Alto Dr

Santa BarbaraCA93110

The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Santa Barbara, CA

Pricing Updated: 06/25/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Santa Barbara, CA area range in price from $1,190 to $30,000 with an overall median price of $12,499. The three Santa Barbara neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Cielito at $2,300, Mission Canyon at $2,500, and Eastside at $3,750. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Santa Barbara Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Cielito$3,550$2,3002
Mission Canyon$3,584$2,5003
Eastside$3,750$3,7501
Oak Park$4,000$3,5501
Foothill$4,700$2,5006
Hope$4,700$3,3753
Hope Ranch$4,700$2,7006
La Cumbre Park$4,700$2,50019
Rutherford Park$4,700$2,50019
San Roque Parks$4,700$3,37511

Cheapest Available Santa Barbara Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Santa Barbara, CA is a 3 Beds unit found at The Arroyo House Student Living. in the Downtown Santa Barbara neighborhood priced from $1,285. 611 Del La Guerra St W in the Westside neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,700. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Santa Barbara apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Arroyo House Student Living.Old Mesa3BR,1BA$1,285
611 Del La Guerra St W611 Del La 71BR,1BA$1,700
Ivy at CarrilloOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,850

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA

As of June 25, 2025 the best value apartment in the Santa Barbara area is the $2.93 price per square foot Upgraded Townhome Model at La Colina Gardens in the in the Foothill neighborhood starting from $4,700. The second greatest value Santa Barbara apartment is the 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath Model at Arrive Los Carneros II starting at $6,045 with a $4.25 price per square foot in the Downtown Goleta neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Santa Barbara apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
La Colina GardensUpgraded Townhome3BR,2.5BA$2.93
Arrive Los Carneros II3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath3BR,2.5BA$4.25
Ivy at Anapamu3 bedroom 1.5 Bathroom3BR,1.5BA$4.34
302 S Voluntario St, Unit C302 S Voluntario St1BR,1.5BA$3.41
318 W Pedregosa St, Unit A318 W Pedregosa St2BR,2BA$3.73
611 Del La Guerra St W611 Del La 71BR,1BA$1.75
Tropicana Student HousingTropicana Gardens3BR,2BA$2.01
Rancho Franciscan Senior ApartmentsThe Sunshine Plan2BR,2BA$4.48
111 N La Cumbre Rd, Unit 6111 N La Cumbre Rd2BR,1BA$4.47
The Arroyo House Student Living.Foothill1BR,1BA$3.75

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Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Barbara

What type of rentals are currently available in Santa Barbara?

There are currently 837 Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA with pricing that ranges from $1,190 to $30,000. There are also 100 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in Santa Barbara ranging from $1,200 to $68,000.

What is the current price range for Rental Homes in Santa Barbara?

Today's rental pricing for Homes for Rent, Condos and Townhomes in Santa Barbara ranges from $1,200 to $68,000 with an average monthly rent of $24,266.

How much are larger Three and Four Bedroom Rentals in Santa Barbara?

For those who are looking for larger living arrangements, Three Bedroom Apartments in Santa Barbara range from $1,285 to $14,000, while Three Bedroom Homes, Condos, and Townhomes for rent range from $1,300 to $31,000. Four Bedroom Single-Family rentals are also available starting from $6,500 and Four Bedroom Apartments start at $1,320.

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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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

Written by: Cheryl Bowman

A fantastic way to save money and enjoy a built-in community is to share an apartment. However, a bad roommate situation can turn your dream rental into a nightmare.

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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Written by: Marie Brown

You’ve scrolled through countless listings, walked through a blur of rentals, and finally found what feels like the one. The pictures? Fantastic. The neighborhood seems just right.

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Know Your Budget: Calculating What You Can Realistically Afford When Renting

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting an apartment or house isn’t just about looking through online ads, choosing a few apartments or homes you want to tour, filling out an application, and putting down a deposit. Those things are all necessary and important.

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The Freedom of Short-Term Leases: Exploring the Advantages for Renters

Written by: Bobbi Jackson

If you’re looking to relocate right now, a popular solution that may best fit your current rental needs is a short-term lease.