
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Santa Barbara Downtown Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA from $1,300 (141 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Santa Barbara Downtown area of Santa Barbara.


Villa Flores Apartments

Paseo Chapala

302 W Montecito St

1801 De La Vina St

2130 Bath St

118-122 Los Aguajes Ave

708 N Alisos St

817 De la Vina St

823 E De La Guerra St
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.

1407 Bath St

103 Chapala St

1530 Bath St

Rancheria Village Apartments

718-724 De La Vina St

1232 Laguna St

Sonrisa Apartments

1315 Bath St

222 W Yanonali St

310 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.

23 W Mission St

125-129 W Yanonali St

Pedregosa Plaza

1135 San Andres St

20 W Mason St

818 Garden St

El Andaluz

2015 Castillo St

1315 Olive St

1223 Garden 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.

Burrton Circle

205 Los Aguajes Ave

1415 De La Vina St

320 W Mission St

Prime 8-Apartment Building in West Beach

1620 Garden St

522-526 E Anapamu St

Chapala One

224 W Yanonali St

130 W Victoria 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.

1717 Chapala St

526 E Anapamu St

228 W Anapamu St

123 Natoma Ave

720 Bath St

1231 Chino St

2119 De La Vina St

Creek View

210 W Micheltorena St

116-118 Bath St
Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between
Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.
Santa Barbara Downtown, Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Santa Barbara Downtown?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara Downtown 1 Bedroom Apartments | $4,179 | $2,425 | $6,000 |
| Santa Barbara Downtown 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,749 | $3,695 | $5,800 |
| Santa Barbara Downtown 3 Bedroom Apartments | $6,049 | $4,595 | $7,550 |
| Santa Barbara Downtown 4 Bedroom Apartments | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 141 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Santa Barbara Downtown Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA.
See all Apartments in Santa BarbaraExplore Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Downtown, Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide
- Nearby Santa Barbara neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Available Santa Barbara Downtown Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Santa Barbara Downtown 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 $4,300. Here are the most affordable Santa Barbara Downtown 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, Two Bathroom 2D (mkt) | 2BR,2BA | $4,300 |
| 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 Santa Barbara Downtown, CA
As of August 20, 2026 the best value apartment in the Santa Barbara Downtown 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 Santa Barbara Downtown 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 Santa Barbara Downtown 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 |
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 LifestyleSanta Barbara Downtown, Santa Barbara, CA
Ranked #37
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
2.5Pet Friendly
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Santa Barbara Downtown Apartments
How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom Santa Barbara Downtown Apartment?
The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom Santa Barbara Downtown Apartment is $2,525 at Villa Flores Apartments.
What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom Santa Barbara Downtown Apartment for rent?
Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in Santa Barbara Downtown is starting from $4,300 at El Jardin.
What is the most affordable Santa Barbara Downtown Three Bedroom Apartment?
The best deal on a cheap Santa Barbara Downtown 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.