
Cheap Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara County, CA from $600 (38 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Santa Barbara County.


The Arroyo House Student Living.

1862 Gable Ln

Villa del Sol Senior Apts 55+

593 Venus Ave

La Vista

129 S L 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.

Copper Kettle Apartments

Arbor Square Apartments

Fiesta

Amara Apartments

1025 W Boone St

Park Avenue Arms Apartments

508 S Oakley Ave

211 W Orange St
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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.
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Santa Barbara County, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Santa Barbara County?
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Santa Barbara County Studio Apartments | $1,871 | $950 | $3,450 |
Santa Barbara County 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,393 | $981 | $5,600 |
Santa Barbara County 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,876 | $1,285 | $10,000+ |
Santa Barbara County 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,491 | $1,250 | $10,000+ |
Santa Barbara County 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,650 | $1,100 | $6,300 |
Santa Barbara County 5 Bedroom Apartments | $4,950 | $4,950 | $4,950 |
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Cheapest Available Santa Barbara County Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in Santa Barbara County, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Sierra Sands in the Harvest Glen neighborhood priced from $981. The Arroyo House Student Living. in the Downtown Santa Barbara neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 3 Beds apartment currently listed from $1,285. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Santa Barbara County apartments for rent:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
---|---|---|---|
Sierra Sands | 1 Bedroom 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $981 |
The Arroyo House Student Living. | Old Mesa | 3BR,1BA | $1,285 |
Villa del Sol Senior Apts 55+ | Plan 9 | Studio,1BA | $1,350 |
La Vista | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,415 |
Copper Kettle Apartments | 1 bed | 1BR,1BA | $1,550 |
Arbor Square Apartments | 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $1,574 |
Fiesta | Loft Unit | Studio,1BA | $1,620 |
Amara Apartments | 1x1 US | 1BR,1BA | $1,658 |
310 S H St. Apartments | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $1,800 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara County, CA
As of September 20, 2025 the best value apartment in the Santa Barbara County area is the $2.57 price per square foot Burgundy Model at Montiavo in the in the Harvest Glen neighborhood starting from $3,337. The second greatest value Santa Barbara County apartment is the 3x2 Mahogany Finish Model at St Claire starting at $2,913 with a $2.32 price per square foot in the Harvest Glen neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Santa Barbara County apartments based on price per square foot:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
---|---|---|---|
Montiavo | Burgundy | 3BR,2BA | $2.57 |
St Claire | 3x2 Mahogany Finish | 3BR,2BA | $2.32 |
Refugio | Monterey | 3BR,2.5BA | $2.41 |
Sierra Sands | 3 Bedroom 2 Bath | 3BR,2BA | $1.27 |
Bradley Garden Apartments | Plan C | 2BR,2BA | $2.60 |
310 S H St. Apartments | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2.00 |
Park Avenue Arms Apartments | 2 Beds, 2 baths | 2BR,2BA | $2.33 |
Tropicana Student Housing | Tropicana Gardens | 3BR,2BA | $2.01 |
Copper Kettle Apartments | 1 bed | 1BR,1BA | $2.58 |
414 W Walnut Ave, Unit Studio | 414 W Walnut Ave | Studio ,1BA | $2.50 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Santa Barbara County Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Santa Barbara County?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Santa Barbara County is under $1,800.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Santa Barbara County?
The cheapest apartment in Santa Barbara County is Sierra Sands which is listed at $981, while the average apartment in Santa Barbara County costs $19,000.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Santa Barbara County?
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 56 regular apartments in Santa Barbara County that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Santa Barbara County?
Cheap apartments in Santa Barbara County have an average cost of $499 which is $18,501 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Santa Barbara County.
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.