
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Upper East Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA from $1,300 (34 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Upper East area of Santa Barbara.


3340 McCaw Ave, Unit McCaw Condo with Private Bedroom and Bathroom

Villa Flores Apartments

B

510 Chapala St

Rancho Franciscan Senior Apartments

323 W Islay St, Unit E

19 E Mission 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.

226 W De la Guerra St

Alena on Haley

Tori Fore

Brentwood

De La Vina Apartments

3450 Richland Dr

Park East Apartments

551-555 W Pueblo 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.

3735 San Remo Dr

Arlington Village

2102 Bath St

Lis

2126 Castillo St

Mediterranean Apartments

Alta Vista Garden Apartments

114 W Calle Crespis Apartments
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.

Monterey Pines

Palm Gardens Apartments

Ivy at Arrellaga

121 W Arrellaga St

1033 W Micheltorena St

Coronel Apartments

Olive Street Lofts

Ivy at Carrillo
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.

Soltara

990 Miramonte Dr
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 Studio Apartments | $3,037 | $2,850 | $3,250 |
| Upper East 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,495 | $2,525 | $5,950 |
| Upper East 2 Bedroom Apartments | $5,250 | $3,500 | $7,500 |
| Upper East 3 Bedroom Apartments | $5,841 | $4,600 | $7,550 |
| Upper East 4 Bedroom Apartments | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 34 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 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,888. 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 Tide Plan | 1BR,1BA | $2,888 |
| Alena on Haley | Studio | Studio,1BA | $3,200 |
| The Messina | 2Bed2Bath-A | 2BR,2BA | $3,450 |
| El Jardin | Two Bedroom, Two Bathroom 2D (mkt) | 2BR,2BA | $4,400 |
| 1524 Garden St | 3BR Suite | 3BR,2BA | $4,600 |
| 800 Santa Barbara | Larger One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $5,000 |
| 825 De la Vina St | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $5,450 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Upper East, CA
As of July 10, 2026 the best value apartment in the Upper East 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 Upper East 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 Upper East 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 |
| 328 East Carrillo Street, Unit #D | 328 East Carrillo Street | 2BR,2BA | $5.00 |
| The Messina | 2Bed2Bath-A | 2BR,2BA | $4.06 |
| The Marc | Plan A2 | 2BR,2BA | $5.09 |
| 825 De la Vina St | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $6.95 |
| Villa Flores Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $4.21 |
| Rancho Franciscan Senior Apartments | The Poppy Plan | 1BR,1BA | $5.52 |
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
3.5Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Upper East, Santa Barbara, CA
Roosevelt Elementary
Santa Barbara Senior High
La Cumbre Junior High
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 $3,450 at The Messina.
What is the most affordable Upper East Three Bedroom Apartment?
The best deal on a cheap Upper East 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.