
Cheap Homes for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA from $1,200 (5 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Homes available for rent right now in Santa Barbara.


906 Chelham Way

1416 Castillo St

6703 Del Playa, Unit OCEANFRONT Room A-2

6115 Coloma Dr, Unit B
Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent a home in Santa Barbara?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara 2 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $5,977 | $3,550 | $10,000+ |
| Santa Barbara 3 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $10,014 | $4,600 | $10,000+ |
| Santa Barbara 4 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $19,984 | $6,400 | $10,000+ |
| Santa Barbara 5 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $28,250 | $8,000 | $10,000+ |
| Santa Barbara 6 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $50,079 | $10,000 | $10,000+ |
| Santa Barbara 7 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $75,000 | $10,000 | $10,000+ |
Browse Top Homes for Rent in Santa Barbara
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Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide
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Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Santa Barbara, CA
Pricing Updated: 11/12/2025Current apartment rentals in the Santa Barbara, CA area range in price from $1,200 to $100,000 with an overall median price of $35,525. The three Santa Barbara neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Lower West at $4,900, Westside at $1,750, and Santa Barbara Downtown at $1,750. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Santa Barbara Apartments for rent:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower West | $4,950 | $4,900 | 2 |
| Westside | $5,050 | $1,750 | 3 |
| Santa Barbara Downtown | $5,500 | $1,750 | 7 |
| Laguna | $5,750 | $5,750 | 1 |
| Downtown Santa Barbara | $7,000 | $1,750 | 8 |
| West Downtown | $7,000 | $1,750 | 8 |
| Alta Mesa | $7,450 | $4,900 | 5 |
| UC Santa Barbara | $17,700 | $1,200 | 4 |
| Waterfront | $18,075 | $4,000 | 4 |
| East Beach | $18,750 | $1,500 | 14 |
Cheapest Available Santa Barbara Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in Santa Barbara, CA is a 3 Beds unit found at Breakpointe Coronado in the Downtown Goleta neighborhood priced from $1,225. The Arroyo House Student Living. in the Downtown Santa Barbara neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 3 Beds apartment currently listed from $1,285. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Santa Barbara apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakpointe Coronado | Breakpointe 3x2 | 3BR,2BA | $1,225 |
| The Arroyo House Student Living. | Old Mesa | 3BR,1BA | $1,285 |
| Villa Flores Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,120 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA
As of November 12, 2025 the best value apartment in the Santa Barbara area is the $2.86 price per square foot Flat Model at La Colina Gardens in the in the Foothill neighborhood starting from $4,000. The second greatest value Santa Barbara apartment is the 2/2 Model at Los Robles - Senior 55+ starting at $3,900 with a $2.95 price per square foot in the Upper State neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Santa Barbara apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Colina Gardens | Flat | 2BR,2BA | $2.86 |
| Los Robles - Senior 55+ | 2/2 | 1BR,2BA | $2.95 |
| 521 E Arrellaga St, Unit 11 | 521 E Arrellaga St | 2BR,2BA | $2.77 |
| Arrive Los Carneros II | Two Bedroom Two Bath | 2BR,2BA | $4.28 |
| Tropicana Student Housing | Tropicana Gardens | 3BR,2BA | $2.01 |
| 1105 N Milpas St | One Bedroom w/Fireplace | 1BR,1BA | $4.06 |
| 333 Mathilda Dr, Unit Casa De Paz | 333 Mathilda Dr | 1BR,1BA | $3.85 |
| Villa Flores Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $3.53 |
| Breakpointe Coronado | Coronado 1x1A | 1BR,1BA | $3.27 |
| The Arroyo House Student Living. | Foothill | 1BR,1BA | $3.75 |
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Best Local Schools in Santa Barbara, CA
Cold Spring Elementary
San Marcos Senior High
La Colina Junior High
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Barbara
What type of rentals are currently available in Santa Barbara?
There are currently 850 Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA with pricing that ranges from $1,100 to $19,000. There are also 78 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 $27,651.
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 $1,225 to $15,000, while Three Bedroom Homes, Condos, and Townhomes for rent range from $4,600 to $31,000. Four Bedroom Single-Family rentals are also available starting from $6,400 and Four Bedroom Apartments start at $1,100.
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.

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.

How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Everything is a negotiation in real estate!

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.

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.