
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Santa Barbara Downtown Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA from $1,600 (23 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Santa Barbara Downtown area of Santa Barbara.


1418 Bath St

Villa Flores Apartments

510 Chapala St

323 W Islay St, Unit E

19 E Mission St

226 W De la Guerra 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.

Alena on Haley

Brentwood

Park East Apartments

Arlington Village

2102 Bath St

Lis

Alta Vista Garden Apartments
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.

Palm Gardens Apartments

Ivy at Arrellaga

121 W Arrellaga St

1033 W Micheltorena St

Olive Street Lofts

Coronel Apartments

Ivy at Carrillo
Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting
Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

Soltara

990 Miramonte Dr
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 Studio Apartments | $2,711 | $2,250 | $3,250 |
| Santa Barbara Downtown 1 Bedroom Apartments | $4,027 | $2,525 | $5,950 |
| Santa Barbara Downtown 2 Bedroom Apartments | $5,257 | $4,300 | $7,500 |
| Santa Barbara Downtown 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,738 | $4,495 | $7,550 |
| Santa Barbara Downtown 4 Bedroom Apartments | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 23 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
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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. Alena on Haley has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $3,200. 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 |
| Alena on Haley | Studio | Studio,1BA | $3,200 |
| El Jardin | Two Bedroom, Two Bathroom 2D (mkt) | 2BR,2BA | $4,300 |
| 1524 Garden St | 3BR Suite | 3BR,2BA | $4,600 |
| 800 Santa Barbara | Larger One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $5,000 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara Downtown, CA
As of July 06, 2026 the best value apartment in the Santa Barbara Downtown 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 Santa Barbara Downtown 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 Santa Barbara Downtown 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 |
| 800 Santa Barbara | Two Bedroom - Furnished or Unfurnished Option | 2BR,2BA | $6.70 |
| 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 | $6.95 |
| Villa Flores Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $4.21 |
| 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 LifestyleSanta Barbara Downtown, Santa Barbara, CA
Ranked #37
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
3.0Pet Friendly
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Santa Barbara Downtown Apartments
What is the Cheapest Studio apartment in Santa Barbara Downtown?
Currently the most affordable Cheap Studio Apartment in Santa Barbara Downtown is at Alena on Haley listed at $3,200.
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 El Jardin 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

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.

Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.