Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Upper State Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA from $1,200 (15 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Upper State area of Santa Barbara.

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Tori Fore
1 Bedroom Apartments

Tori Fore

3790 San Remo DrSanta Barbara, CA 93105
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Brentwood
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Brentwood

1429 De La Vina StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
  • Utilities Included

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.

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De La Vina Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

De La Vina Apartments

3754 San Remo DrSanta Barbara, CA 93105
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3450 Richland Dr
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

3450 Richland Dr

3450 Richland DrSanta Barbara, CA 93105
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Park East Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Park East Apartments

322-324 E Micheltorena StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
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Arlington Village
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Arlington Village

1330 Chapala StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
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2102 Bath St
1 Bedroom Apartments

2102 Bath St

2102 Bath StSanta Barbara, CA 93105

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.

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2126 Castillo St
2 Bedroom Apartments

2126 Castillo St

2126 Castillo StSanta Barbara, CA 93105
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Palm Gardens Apartments
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Palm Gardens Apartments

1120-1130 San Andres StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
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Mediterranean Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Mediterranean Apartments

2400 De La Vina StSanta Barbara, CA 93105
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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

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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Villa Flores Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,400
Hope RanchLucero1BR,1BA$2,519
Rancho Franciscan Senior ApartmentsThe Tide Plan1BR,1BA$3,113
1105 N Milpas StOne Bedroom w/Fireplace1BR,1BA$3,275
825 De la Vina St205Studio,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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
521 E Arrellaga St, Unit 2521 E Arrellaga St2BR,2BA$2.80
2727 Miradero Dr, Unit 2042727 Miradero Dr3BR,2BA$3.42
Los Robles - Senior 55+2/21BR,2BA$2.91
609 W Junipero St2Bed/2Bath2BR,2BA$3.55
1105 N Milpas StOne Bedroom w/Fireplace1BR,1BA$4.09
3067 Lucinda Ln, Unit Upstairs Duplex3067 Lucinda Ln1BR,1BA$3.86
Villa Flores Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$4.00
Rancho Franciscan Senior ApartmentsThe Tide Plan1BR,1BA$5.41
Hope RanchLucero1BR,1BA$4.89
111 N La Cumbre Rd, Unit 4111 N La Cumbre RdStudio ,1BA$5.28

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Upper State, Santa Barbara, CA

Ranked #32

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

3.5
Pet Friendly

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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

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.

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How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everything is a negotiation in real estate! 

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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.

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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.

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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.