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Is Santa Barbara a Good Place to Live? Santa Barbara, California: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Santa Barbara ranks #680 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #300 of 524 smaller cities and #83 of 188 in California. Against similar-size cities it stands out for short commutes (17.3 min, #37 of 524) and low unemployment (3.4%, #79 of 476), and trails on expensive homes ($1,570,800, #517 of 524) and high violent crime (634 per 100,000, #404 of 442).
Santa Barbara by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Santa Barbara's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara's cost of living index is 108.8, 9% above the US level of 100 and #1077 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $2,413/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $1,824,406, 2.4 times the typical California home ($764,158).
| Measure | Santa Barbara | CaliforniaCA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 102.4 · US 100 | 108.8#1077 of 1,308 | 113 | 102.4 | 100 |
| Typical home value (Zillow)Zillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $431,438 · US $368,697 | $1,824,406#1179 of 1,187 | $764,158 | $431,438 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rent (Zillow)Zillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,884/mo · US $1,948/mo | $3,692/mo#1093 of 1,115 | — | $1,884/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $401,950 | $1,570,800#1299 of 1,309 | — | $401,950 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,633/mo | $2,413/mo#1232 of 1,309 | — | $1,633/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.5x | 14.8x#1308 of 1,309 | — | 4.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 22.2% | 27.3%#1156 of 1,309 | — | 22.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Santa Barbara housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Santa Barbara is in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro.
California housing market →Is Santa Barbara safe?
Santa Barbara recorded 634 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 70% above the US rate of 373 and 44% above California's 440. That ranks #928 of 1,083 cities with data (1 = safest) and #404 of 442 smaller cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Santa Barbara Police Department. Property crime runs 1,667 per 100,000 (US 2,083).
| Measure | Santa Barbara | CaliforniaCA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 264 · US 373 | 634#928 of 1,083 | 440 | 264 | 373 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 1,553 · US 2,083 | 1,667#559 of 1,083 | 2,490 | 1,553 | 2,083 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Santa Barbara?
The median household in Santa Barbara earns $106,182, 38% above the US figure of $76,827 and 16% above California ($91,905). Unemployment is 3.4% (US 4.2%). 14% of residents live below the poverty line. The population fell 0.5% in the latest year (US +0.8%).
| Measure | Santa Barbara | CaliforniaCA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $83,646 · US $76,827 | $106,182#276 of 1,312 | $91,905 | $83,646 | $76,827 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.2% · US 4.2% | 3.4%#212 of 1,058 | 5.4% | 4.2% | 4.2% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.8% | 14%#799 of 1,312 | — | 10.8% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.2% · US +0.8% | -0.5%#952 of 1,132 | +0.2% | +0.2% | +0.8% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Santa Barbara?
The median resident of Santa Barbara is 39.7 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 51.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #230 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 39.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Santa Barbara | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.7 | 39.7 | 37.7 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 35.1% | 51.9%#230 of 1,312 | 35.1% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 61.7% | 39.9% | 61.7% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Santa Barbara's schools and health?
Santa Barbara's 17 public schools graduate 92% of students in four years (California 85%), with 19.1 students per teacher and $17,530 spent per pupil. 25.7% of adults are obese and 10.1% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 31.9% and 11%.
| Measure | Santa Barbara | CaliforniaCA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 89% | 92%#222 of 1,063 | 85% | 89% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 16.4 | 19.1#904 of 1,188 | — | 16.4 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $15,354 | $17,530#375 of 1,188 | — | $15,354 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 31.9% | 25.7%#166 of 1,311 | — | 31.9% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11% | 10.1%#419 of 1,311 | — | 11% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.7% | 16.1%#434 of 1,311 | — | 16.7% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.1% | 9.9%#645 of 1,311 | — | 10.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 8,846 students are enrolled in Santa Barbara's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Santa Barbara?
The average commute in Santa Barbara is 17.3 minutes (California 25.2); 2% of workers take transit and 18.9% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Santa Barbara scores 10.8 of 20 (above average walkable), #609 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 64.8°F and winters 52.9°F, with 17.3 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Santa Barbara | CaliforniaCA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 25.1 min | 17.3 min#156 of 1,312 | 25.2 min | 25.1 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6.5% | 3.5%#290 of 1,312 | 11.9% | 6.5% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.8% | 60.8% | 68.4% | 70.8% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1% | 2% | 3.6% | 1.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.4% | 4% | 2.4% | 1.4% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 3.2% | 0.7% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.7% | 18.9% | 13.6% | 13.7% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.1 | 10.8#609 of 1,312 | — | 11.1 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64.2 | 41.3 | 3.8 |
| Feb | 63.8 | 43.6 | 3.9 |
| Mar | 65.9 | 46.2 | 3.1 |
| Apr | 67.8 | 48.1 | 0.9 |
| May | 69.2 | 51.3 | 0.4 |
| Jun | 70.3 | 54.5 | 0.1 |
| Jul | 73.3 | 58.1 | 0 |
| Aug | 74.5 | 58 | 0 |
| Sep | 74.3 | 55.7 | 0.1 |
| Oct | 73.4 | 50.9 | 0.7 |
| Nov | 69.2 | 44.3 | 1.3 |
| Dec | 64.3 | 40.4 | 2.9 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Santa Barbara Muni Airport.
| Measure | Santa Barbara | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 58.1°F | 59.3°F | 58.1°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 74.2°F | 64.8°F | 74.2°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 40.8°F | 52.9°F | 40.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 38.3 in | 17.3 in | 38.3 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Santa Barbara Muni Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara County's air had a median air quality index of 52, and 45% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Santa Barbara County's biggest natural hazard losses in landslide, earthquake, and inland flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.42% of building value, higher than 94% of US counties.
| Measure | Santa Barbara | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 44 | 52#889 of 1,138 | 44 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 3 | 0#1 of 1,138 | 3 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.15% | 0.42%#1247 of 1,312 | 0.15% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Santa Barbara County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Santa Barbara County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Landslide | 0.032% | 99% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.13% | 98% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.19% | 95% of counties |
| Wildfire | 0.026% | 92% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Santa Barbara compare with similar-size cities?
Santa Barbara is one of 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track and ranks #300 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 87,779.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara, CAPop. 87,779 | #680 | 55.4 | $106,182 | $2,413/mo | 634 | 17.3 min |
| Springdale, ARPop. 88,160 | #747 | 54.2 | $69,787 | $1,071/mo | 527 | 19.3 min |
| Deerfield Beach, FLPop. 88,093 | #1091 | 48.0 | $59,730 | $1,774/mo | part year | 28.2 min |
| Bryan, TXPop. 87,939 | #719 | 54.7 | $59,289 | $1,195/mo | 287 | 18.5 min |
| Troy, MIPop. 87,898 | #66 | 69.5 | $120,045 | $1,602/mo | 93 | 23.7 min |
| Ogden, UTPop. 87,413 | #785 | 53.5 | $72,575 | $1,216/mo | 445 | 22.5 min |
| Danbury, CTPop. 87,263 | #441 | 59.2 | $83,393 | $1,846/mo | 146 | 29.9 min |
| Franklin, TNPop. 87,133 | #67 | 69.5 | $119,528 | $1,923/mo | 171 | 23.9 min |
| Duluth, MNPop. 87,093 | #467 | 58.6 | $68,807 | $1,087/mo | 231 | 17.3 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Santa Barbara compare with the rest of California?
Santa Barbara ranks #83 of the 188 California cities we track, with a score of 55.4 against California's statewide 42.9. Its households earn 16% above the California median. Violent crime is 44% above the statewide rate. Homes are 2.4 times the typical California home.
| City | Rank in CA | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto, CAPop. 67,237 | #1 | 70.9 | $231,101 | $3,484/mo | 159 |
| Sunnyvale, CAPop. 154,236 | #2 | 69.3 | $186,170 | $3,039/mo | 188 |
| Cupertino, CAPop. 58,566 | #3 | 68.3 | $234,707 | $3,501/mo | 70 |
| Santa Clara, CAPop. 130,256 | #4 | 68.1 | $178,958 | $3,016/mo | 172 |
| Folsom, CAPop. 83,916 | #5 | 68.0 | $139,804 | $2,352/mo | 161 |
| San Mateo, CAPop. 103,105 | #6 | 67.1 | $153,504 | $3,077/mo | 168 |
| Dublin, CAPop. 70,803 | #7 | 66.5 | $214,385 | $3,191/mo | 146 |
| Pleasanton, CAPop. 76,960 | #8 | 65.2 | $190,124 | $3,060/mo | 123 |
| Mountain View, CAPop. 83,732 | #9 | 65.1 | $189,917 | $3,062/mo | 208 |
| Encinitas, CAPop. 61,480 | #10 | 65.1 | $162,229 | $2,886/mo | 108 |
| La Habra, CAPop. 61,970 | … #79 | 55.6 | $100,106 | $2,129/mo | 261 |
| Santa Cruz, CAPop. 61,607 | #80 | 55.6 | $115,475 | $2,452/mo | 533 |
| Fontana, CAPop. 214,169 | #81 | 55.5 | $102,821 | $1,839/mo | 244 |
| Covina, CAPop. 49,888 | #82 | 55.5 | $98,671 | $1,931/mo | 285 |
| Santa Barbara, CAPop. 87,779 | #83 | 55.4 | $106,182 | $2,413/mo | 634 |
| Lakewood, CAPop. 79,850 | #84 | 54.9 | $119,177 | $2,347/mo | 356 |
| Chula Vista, CAPop. 276,375 | #85 | 54.7 | $108,032 | $2,229/mo | 365 |
| Alhambra, CAPop. 81,022 | #86 | 54.7 | $88,024 | $1,939/mo | 195 |
| Upland, CAPop. 79,257 | #87 | 54.5 | $105,830 | $2,029/mo | 333 |
The top 10 of the 188 and the cities ranked either side of Santa Barbara among the California cities we track, by overall score. California statewide: median income $91,905, violent crime 440 per 100,000.
How is Santa Barbara's score calculated?
Santa Barbara scores 55.4 out of 100, #680 of 1,312 (grade C+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is left out rather than filled with California's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Santa Barbara. Similar-size median 55.5.
69.8 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Santa Barbara's police agency. Similar-size median 77.6.
54.6 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Santa Barbara. Similar-size median 58.9.
70.0 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Santa Barbara's public schools. Similar-size median 55.2.
61.4 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Santa Barbara's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.3.
25.2 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Santa Barbara. Similar-size median 56.1.
60.6 - GrowthCity data · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Santa Barbara. Similar-size median 42.4.
38.3 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Santa Barbara. Similar-size median 50.0.
68.5 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Santa Barbara's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 53.2.
51.6 - EnvironmentCounty data · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 50.8.
20.8 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Santa Barbara's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Santa Barbara has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Santa Barbara
Is Santa Barbara, CA a good place to live?
Santa Barbara ranks #680 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #300 of 524 smaller cities and #83 of 188 in California. Against similar-size cities it stands out for short commutes (17.3 min, #37 of 524) and low unemployment (3.4%, #79 of 476), and trails on expensive homes ($1,570,800, #517 of 524) and high violent crime (634 per 100,000, #404 of 442).
What is the cost of living in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara's cost of living index is 108.8, 9% above the US level of 100 and #1077 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $2,413/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $1,824,406, 2.4 times the typical California home ($764,158).
What is the crime rate in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara recorded 634 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 70% above the US rate of 373 and 44% above California's 440. That ranks #928 of 1,083 cities with data (1 = safest) and #404 of 442 smaller cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Santa Barbara Police Department. Property crime runs 1,667 per 100,000 (US 2,083).
What is the median household income in Santa Barbara?
The median household in Santa Barbara earns $106,182, 38% above the US figure of $76,827 and 16% above California ($91,905). Unemployment is 3.4% (US 4.2%). 14% of residents live below the poverty line. The population fell 0.5% in the latest year (US +0.8%).
How much is rent in Santa Barbara?
Median rent in Santa Barbara is $2,413/mo (Census), #1232 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Zillow's typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $3,692/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 27.3% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Santa Barbara?
Zillow's typical home value in Santa Barbara is $1,824,406, up 4.5% in a year, against $764,158 for California and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $1,570,800.
How are the public schools in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara's 17 public schools graduate 92% of students in four years (California 85%), with 19.1 students per teacher and $17,530 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Santa Barbara?
The average commute is 17.3 minutes, #156 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 25.2 minutes across California. 3.5% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara averages 59.3°F over the year, 64.8°F in summer and 52.9°F in winter, with 17.3 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Santa Barbara walkable?
Santa Barbara scores 10.8 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (above average walkable), #609 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Santa Barbara at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Santa Barbara County's biggest natural hazard losses in landslide, earthquake, and inland flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.42% of building value, higher than 94% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara County's air had a median air quality index of 52, and 45% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara has 87,779 residents. The median resident of Santa Barbara is 39.7 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 51.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #230 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 39.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Santa Barbara compare with the rest of California?
Santa Barbara ranks #83 of the 188 California cities we track, with a score of 55.4 against California's statewide 42.9. Its households earn 16% above the California median. Violent crime is 44% above the statewide rate. Homes are 2.4 times the typical California home.
What cities are similar in size to Santa Barbara?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Santa Barbara's population of 87,779 are Springdale, AR (#747 overall), Deerfield Beach, FL (#1091 overall), Bryan, TX (#719 overall), Troy, MI (#66 overall), and Ogden, UT (#785 overall). Santa Barbara is #680.