
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Upper State Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA from $1,200 (15 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Upper State area of Santa Barbara.


1525 Chapala St
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.
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.
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.
Upper State, Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Upper State?
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Upper State Studio Apartments | $2,943 | $2,375 | $3,450 |
Upper State 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,410 | $1,200 | $5,600 |
Upper State 2 Bedroom Apartments | $4,955 | $3,595 | $7,500 |
Upper State 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,897 | $4,800 | $4,995 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 15 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Upper State Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA.
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Upper State, Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide
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Cheapest Available Upper State Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Upper State area of Santa Barbara, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Villa Flores Apartments priced from $2,400. Hope Ranch has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,519. Here are the most affordable Upper State apartments for rent in Santa Barbara, CA:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
---|---|---|---|
Villa Flores Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,400 |
Hope Ranch | Lucero | 1BR,1BA | $2,519 |
Rancho Franciscan Senior Apartments | The Tide Plan | 1BR,1BA | $3,113 |
1105 N Milpas St | One Bedroom w/Fireplace | 1BR,1BA | $3,275 |
825 De la Vina St | 205 | Studio,1BA | $3,450 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Upper State, CA
As of October 08, 2025 the best value apartment in the Upper State area is the $2.80 price per square foot 521 E Arrellaga St Model at 521 E Arrellaga St, Unit 2 in the in the Westside neighborhood starting from $4,200. The second greatest value Upper State apartment is the 2727 Miradero Dr Model at 2727 Miradero Dr, Unit 204 starting at $4,800 with a $3.42 price per square foot in the Upper State neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Upper State apartments based on price per square foot:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
---|---|---|---|
521 E Arrellaga St, Unit 2 | 521 E Arrellaga St | 2BR,2BA | $2.80 |
2727 Miradero Dr, Unit 204 | 2727 Miradero Dr | 3BR,2BA | $3.42 |
Los Robles - Senior 55+ | 2/2 | 1BR,2BA | $2.91 |
609 W Junipero St | 2Bed/2Bath | 2BR,2BA | $3.55 |
1105 N Milpas St | One Bedroom w/Fireplace | 1BR,1BA | $4.09 |
3067 Lucinda Ln, Unit Upstairs Duplex | 3067 Lucinda Ln | 1BR,1BA | $3.86 |
Villa Flores Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $4.00 |
Rancho Franciscan Senior Apartments | The Tide Plan | 1BR,1BA | $5.41 |
Hope Ranch | Lucero | 1BR,1BA | $4.89 |
111 N La Cumbre Rd, Unit 4 | 111 N La Cumbre Rd | Studio ,1BA | $5.28 |
Quick Rent Budget Calculator
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Pet Friendly LifestyleUpper State, Santa Barbara, CA
Ranked #32
Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
3.5Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Upper State, Santa Barbara, CA
Roosevelt Elementary
Santa Barbara Senior High
La Cumbre Junior High
School data provided by Great Schools
Getting Around the Upper State Neighborhood in Santa Barbara, CA
Walk Score®
77 / 100
Very Walkable
Most errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
63 / 100
Bikeable
Some bike infrastructure
Transit Score®
34 / 100
Some Transit
A few nearby public transportation options
What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?
- Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
- Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
- Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Upper State Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Upper State?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Upper State is under $3,995.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Upper State?
The cheapest apartment in Upper State is Villa Flores Apartments which is listed at $2,400, while the average apartment in Upper State costs $4,897.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Upper State?
Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 1 regular apartments in Upper State that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
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.

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.

The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Hard truth. Moving is never easy. I’ve done it all – from local moves to cross-country relocations From packing to unpacking the last box, I have found moving to be an exhausting, expensive and stressful experience every time.