
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Upper East Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA from $1,335 (33 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Upper East area of Santa Barbara.


Villa Flores Apartments

2620 Tallant Rd, Unit Guest House

Total Monthly Price
2563 Treasure Dr, Unit A

Rancho Franciscan Senior Apartments

3710 San Remo Dr

Tori Fore

Brentwood
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.

De La Vina Apartments

Park East Apartments

3450 Richland Dr

551-555 W Pueblo St

3735 San Remo Dr

Arlington Village

2102 Bath St

152- 1825 Chapala LLC
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.

2126 Castillo St

Mediterranean Apartments

Alta Vista Garden Apartments

114 W Calle Crespis Apartments

Monterey Pines

Ivy at Arrellaga

Palm Gardens Apartments

1821 Chino 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.

Coronel Apartments

Olive Street Lofts

Ivy at Carrillo

Soltara

Alena on Haley

Rose Garden Apartments

1105 N Milpas St

Plaza Riviera
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.

314 W Mission St
Upper East, Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Upper East?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper East 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,607 | $2,425 | $6,000 |
| Upper East 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,570 | $3,250 | $5,800 |
| Upper East 3 Bedroom Apartments | $6,177 | $4,595 | $7,550 |
| Upper East 4 Bedroom Apartments | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 33 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Upper East Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA.
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Upper East, Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide
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Cheapest Available Upper East Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Upper East area of Santa Barbara, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Villa Flores Apartments priced from $2,525. Rancho Franciscan Senior Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 2 Beds apartment currently listed from $3,428. Here are the most affordable Upper East apartments for rent in Santa Barbara, CA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villa Flores Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,525 |
| Rancho Franciscan Senior Apartments | The Sunshine Plan | 2BR,2BA | $3,428 |
| El Jardin | Two Bedroom, One Bathroom 2E | 2BR,1BA | $4,450 |
| 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 Upper East, CA
As of August 24, 2026 the best value apartment in the Upper East 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 Upper East 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 Upper East 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 |
| Rancho Franciscan Senior Apartments | The Sunshine Plan | 2BR,2BA | $4.29 |
| 825 De la Vina St | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $7.22 |
| Villa Flores Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $4.21 |
| 2620 Tallant Rd, Unit Guest House | 2620 Tallant Rd | 1BR,1BA | $6.50 |
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 LifestyleUpper East, Santa Barbara, CA
Ranked #36
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
3.0Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Upper East, Santa Barbara, CA
Roosevelt Elementary
Santa Barbara Senior High
La Cumbre Junior High School
School data provided by Great Schools
Lifestyle Ratings
ApartmentHomeLiving brings you our detailed rental analysis called 'Lifestyle Ratings' - a comparison of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, and customized analysis for Central Santa Barbara, CA. LifeStyle Ratings are a useful tool for comparing and sorting apartments and neighborhoods when choosing your rental home. This takes in many factors including searching for the best amenities, and convenient access to the outdoors, transit availability, pet-friendly communities, features that make it easier to raise kids, and other valuable search options. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Upper East Apartments
How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom Upper East Apartment?
The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom Upper East Apartment is $2,525 at Villa Flores Apartments.
What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom Upper East Apartment for rent?
Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in Upper East is starting from $3,428 at Rancho Franciscan Senior Apartments.
What is the most affordable Upper East Three Bedroom Apartment?
The best deal on a cheap Upper East 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.