How many renters in Santa Barbara, CA pay more than 30% of their income on rent?
55.7% (±3.7 points) of renting households in Santa Barbara, CA spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
47.4% spend 35% or more.
The median renting household spends 33.4% of its income on rent.
Figures last updated on .
- Paying 30% or more
- 55.7% (±3.7 points)
- Paying 35% or more
- 47.4% (±3.3 points)
- Median share of income
- 33.4% (±1.9 points)
Rent as a share of income in Santa Barbara
| Share of income spent on rent | Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara County | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 15% | 9.6% (±1.6 points) | 8.7% | 10.4% | 12.6% |
| 15% to 19.9% | 12.9% (±2.3 points) | 11.4% | 11.1% | 12.2% |
| 20% to 24.9% | 12.4% (±1.8 points) | 12.0% | 12.0% | 12.6% |
| 25% to 29.9% | 9.4% (±1.4 points) | 10.2% | 11.2% | 11.5% |
| 30% to 34.9% | 8.3% (±1.6 points) | 8.3% | 9.3% | 9.2% |
| 35% or more | 47.4% (±3.3 points) | 49.5% | 46.0% | 41.9% |
Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.
Santa Barbara against Santa Barbara County, its state and the nation
| Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara County | California | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paying 30% or more | 55.7% (±3.7 points) | 57.8% (±1.9 points) | 55.3% (±0.2 points) | 51.1% |
| Paying 35% or more | 47.4% (±3.3 points) | 49.5% (±1.7 points) | 46.0% (±0.2 points) | 41.9% |
| Median share of income | 33.4% (±1.9 points) | 34.7% (±1.0 points) | 32.8% (±0.2 points) | 30.6% |
| Median renter household income | $83,804 (±$5,457) | $70,675 (±$2,599) | $71,186 (±$298) | $52,966 |
| Median gross rent | $2,413 (±$62) | $2,131 (±$35) | $2,036 (±$5) | $1,413 |
In Santa Barbara, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from Santa Barbara County (57.8%).
It is not measurably different from California (55.3%).
It is higher than the national figure (51.1%).
In Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara ranks 11 of 22 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.
Statewide, it ranks 511 of 1,067.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Santa Barbara
| Place | Distance | Renters paying 30% or more of income | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara | — | 55.7% (±3.7 points) | — |
| Mission Canyon | 3.6 mi | 38.0% (±26.1 points) | Not measurably different |
| Montecito | 4.7 mi | 52.5% (±14.3 points) | Not measurably different |
| Eastern Goleta Valley | 4.9 mi | 40.9% (±8.9 points) | Lower |
| Summerland | 7.3 mi | 100.0% (±25.9 points) | Higher |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | 7.6 mi | 45.4% (±12.2 points) | Not measurably different |
| Isla Vista | 8.4 mi | 88.8% (±5.4 points) | Higher |
| Goleta | 8.6 mi | 49.0% (±5.6 points) | Not measurably different |
| Toro Canyon | 8.8 mi | 55.9% (±32.4 points) | Not measurably different |
Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Eastern Goleta Valley, CA (40.9%).
Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Summerland, CA (100.0%), Isla Vista, CA (88.8%).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Renters paying 30% or more of income across Santa Barbara County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Renters paying 30% or more of income |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Carpinteria | 65.1% (±10.6 points) |
| 6 | Los Olivos | 63.8% (±58.3 points) |
| 7 | Santa Maria | 61.0% (±3.8 points) |
| 8 | Orcutt | 58.2% (±10.1 points) |
| 9 | Vandenberg Village | 57.4% (±22.1 points) |
| 10 | Toro Canyon | 55.9% (±32.4 points) |
| 11 | Santa Barbara | 55.7% (±3.7 points) |
| 12 | Lompoc | 54.0% (±6.0 points) |
| 13 | Montecito | 52.5% (±14.3 points) |
| 14 | Buellton | 51.9% (±20.0 points) |
| 15 | Santa Ynez | 50.5% (±24.8 points) |
| 16 | Goleta | 49.0% (±5.6 points) |
| 17 | University of California-Santa Barbara | 45.4% (±12.2 points) |
Showing 13 of 22 places in Santa Barbara County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about Santa Barbara
Are renters in Santa Barbara rent-burdened?
55.7% of renting households in Santa Barbara pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
What share of income do renters in Santa Barbara spend on rent?
The median renting household in Santa Barbara, CA spends 33.4% (±1.9 points) of its household income on gross rent.
Sources
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Santa Barbara city, California
- Median Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (B25071), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Santa Barbara city, California
- Median Household Income by Tenure (B25119), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Santa Barbara city, California
To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Santa Barbara city, California (place:69070, in state:06).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The API needs a free key.
DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .
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