
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Waterfront Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA from $1,700 (36 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Waterfront area of Santa Barbara.


Paseo Chapala

302 W Montecito St

203 Ladera St

Rancheria Village Apartments

718-724 De La Vina St

118-122 Los Aguajes Ave

103 Chapala St

224 W Yanonali St
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.

Burrton Circle

310 Ladera St

205 Los Aguajes Ave

123 Natoma Ave

125-129 W Yanonali St

20 W Mason St

El Andaluz

450 Por La Mar Dr

222 W Yanonali St
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.

Chapala One

Prime 8-Apartment Building in West Beach

633 De La Vina St

116-118 Bath St

Casalino Court

428 Corona Del Mar

509 Fig Ave

221 E Haley St

Sycamore Creek Village
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.

414 Chapala St

Monteria Village

627 De La Vina St

405 Corona del Mar

232 W Yanonali St

104 Los Aguajes Ave

Holiday Plaza Apartments

Vera Cruz Village

427 W Montecito 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.
Waterfront, Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Waterfront?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfront Studio Apartments | $3,010 | $2,795 | $3,250 |
| Waterfront 1 Bedroom Apartments | $4,272 | $3,800 | $4,500 |
| Waterfront 2 Bedroom Apartments | $5,131 | $4,400 | $6,800 |
| Waterfront 3 Bedroom Apartments | $6,368 | $4,900 | $7,550 |
| Waterfront 4 Bedroom Apartments | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 36 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Waterfront Neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA.
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Cheapest Available Waterfront Apartments for Rent
 | Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alena on Haley | Studio | Studio,1BA | $3,200 |
| El Jardin | Two Bedroom, Two Bathroom 2D (mkt) | 2BR,2BA | $4,400 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Waterfront, CA
As of July 24, 2026 the best value apartment in the Waterfront 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 Waterfront apartment is the Two Bedroom, One Bathroom 2G Model at El Jardin starting at $5,800 with a $7.24 price per square foot in the Waterfront neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Waterfront 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 |
| El Jardin | Two Bedroom, One Bathroom 2G | 2BR,1BA | $7.24 |
| Alena on Haley | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $7.46 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Waterfront Apartments
What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom Waterfront Apartment for rent?
Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in Waterfront is starting from $4,400 at El Jardin.
What is the most affordable Waterfront Three Bedroom Apartment?
The best deal on a cheap Waterfront Three Bedroom Apartment rental is at El Jardin and starts from $4,900.
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.

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.