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 3712 Greggory Way

3712 Greggory Way

Santa BarbaraCA93105
property at 1600 Garden St

1600 Garden St

Santa BarbaraCA93101

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: 07/30/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Santa Barbara, CA area range in price from $1,190 to $19,000 with an overall median price of $6,133. The three Santa Barbara neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Lower Riviera at $2,500, Laguna at $2,500, and Hitchcock at $1,285. 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
Lower Riviera$2,600$2,5005
Laguna$4,050$2,5005
Hitchcock$4,847$1,28528
Hope$4,850$2,9814
Elings Park$4,995$1,28529
Hidden Valley$4,997$2,0008
La Cumbre Park$4,997$2,30016
North State$4,997$2,0008
Rutherford Park$4,997$2,30014
San Roque Parks$4,997$2,8957

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. 1021 Cliff Dr in the West Mesa neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,950. 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
1021 Cliff Dr1BR 1BA1BR,1BA$1,950
Villa Flores Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,400

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA

As of July 30, 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 4082 Via Zorro Model at 4082 Via Zorro, Unit A starting at $5,000 with a $3.45 price per square foot in the Foothill 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
4082 Via Zorro, Unit A4082 Via Zorro3BR,2BA$3.45
Willow SpringsLos Carneros2BR,2BA$3.93
Tropicana Student HousingTropicana Gardens3BR,2BA$2.01
1105 N Milpas StOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$4.09
1111 Quinientos St, Unit B1111 Quinientos St1BR,1BA$3.61
1021 Cliff Dr1BR 1BA1BR,1BA$2.79
Breakpointe CoronadoCoronado 1x1B1BR,1BA$2.12
Villa Flores Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$4.00
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 836 Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA with pricing that ranges from $1,190 to $19,000. There are also 79 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in Santa Barbara ranging from $1,200 to $100,000.

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 $100,000 with an average monthly rent of $25,543.

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 $1,325 to $31,000. Four Bedroom Single-Family rentals are also available starting from $7,500 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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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Throughout the day, think about all the times that you have to pay for something. So many of us reach automatically for a credit card or even our phone for a quick payment.

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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.