How many renters in University of California-Santa Barbara, CA pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in University of California-Santa Barbara, CA, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

45.4% (±12.2 points) of renting households in University of California-Santa Barbara, CA spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

36.0% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 27.4% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 45.4% (±12.2 points)
Paying 35% or more: 36.0% (±10.7 points)
Median share of income: 27.4% (±6.0 points)

Rent as a share of income in University of California-Santa Barbara

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	University of California-Santa Barbara	Santa Barbara County	California	United States
Less than 15%	11.1% (±5.9 points)	8.7%	10.4%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	16.8% (±7.7 points)	11.4%	11.1%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	18.0% (±8.4 points)	12.0%	12.0%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	8.6% (±7.6 points)	10.2%	11.2%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	9.4% (±5.9 points)	8.3%	9.3%	9.2%
35% or more	36.0% (±10.7 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.

University of California-Santa Barbara against Santa Barbara County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	University of California-Santa Barbara	Santa Barbara County	California	United States
Paying 30% or more	45.4% (±12.2 points)	57.8% (±1.9 points)	55.3% (±0.2 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	36.0% (±10.7 points)	49.5% (±1.7 points)	46.0% (±0.2 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	27.4% (±6.0 points)	34.7% (±1.0 points)	32.8% (±0.2 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$62,833 (±$19,825)	$70,675 (±$2,599)	$71,186 (±$298)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$1,526 (±$111)	$2,131 (±$35)	$2,036 (±$5)	$1,413

In University of California-Santa Barbara, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is lower than in Santa Barbara County (57.8%).

It is not measurably different from California (55.3%).

It is not measurably different from the national figure (51.1%).

In Santa Barbara County, University of California-Santa Barbara ranks 17 of 22 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 833 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 University of California-Santa Barbara

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with University of California-Santa Barbara
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
University of California-Santa Barbara	—	45.4% (±12.2 points)	—
Isla Vista	0.9 mi	88.8% (±5.4 points)	Higher
Goleta	1.4 mi	49.0% (±5.6 points)	Not measurably different
Eastern Goleta Valley	3.9 mi	40.9% (±8.9 points)	Not measurably different
Santa Barbara	7.6 mi	55.7% (±3.7 points)	Not measurably different
Mission Canyon	7.9 mi	38.0% (±26.1 points)	Not measurably different
Montecito	12 mi	52.5% (±14.3 points)	Not measurably different
Summerland	15 mi	100.0% (±25.9 points)	Higher
Toro Canyon	16 mi	55.9% (±32.4 points)	Not measurably different

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Isla Vista, CA (88.8%), Summerland, CA (100.0%).

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
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)
18	Solvang	42.9% (±15.3 points)
19	Eastern Goleta Valley	40.9% (±8.9 points)
20	Mission Canyon	38.0% (±26.1 points)
21	Mission Hills	22.1% (±26.5 points)
22	Los Alamos	21.0% (±41.0 points)

Showing 12 of 22 places in Santa Barbara County, ranked from highest to lowest.

University of California-Santa Barbara is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for statistics, with no municipal government of its own.

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 University of California-Santa Barbara

Are renters in University of California-Santa Barbara rent-burdened?

45.4% of renting households in University of California-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 University of California-Santa Barbara spend on rent?

The median renting household in University of California-Santa Barbara, CA spends 27.4% (±6.0 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

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 University of California-Santa Barbara CDP, California (place:81316, in state:06).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API 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.