Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Santa Barbara, CA
Considering a move to Santa Barbara, CA? With a population of 88,255, this coastal city offers stunning weather—over 78% sunny days a year—and mild temperatures year-round. Median home prices are around $1.4 million, and average rents for a 2-bedroom are about $2,950, reflecting a high cost of living. Commute times are short (18 minutes), violent crime rates are moderate at 362 per 100K, and the city boasts strong educational opportunities, including UC Santa Barbara. Enjoy a vibrant, scenic lifestyle with great schools, healthcare, and outdoor amenities.
Demographics - Santa Barbara, CA
Demographics - Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara is home to about 88,255 residents, with a population density that creates a lively urban feel. The community is diverse, with more than a third identifying as Hispanic or Latino and nearly 28% speaking a language other than English at home. The median age is just over 39, offering a balanced mix of young professionals, families, and retirees.
Population:
88,255
Density:
4,670 per sq mi
Median Age:
39.2
Gender Ratio:
97 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
28.0%
Ethnic Composition
White:
54.6%
Black:
1.3%
Asian:
4.5%
Others:
4.1%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Santa Barbara, CA?
Living in Santa Barbara comes with a high price tag, as evidenced by a median home value of $1.4 million and average rents around $2,650 per month. The city’s overall cost of living index is almost double the national average, mainly due to housing and transportation costs. Residents should also expect higher-than-average utility and grocery expenses.
Median House Value:
$1,400,000
Gross Rent:
$2,650
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$140
Auto Insurance:
$2,100
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$4,050
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$980
State Taxes:
Low:
1.0%
|
High:
13.3%
Cost Of Living Index:
184.7
Grocery:
119.8
Housing:
336.0
Utilities:
110.2
Transportation:
134.5
Health Care:
108.4
Miscellaneous:
116.3
Crime
Is Santa Barbara, CA a safe place to live?
Santa Barbara experiences moderate crime levels, with violent crime rates at 362 per 100,000 residents and a 1 in 276 chance of being a victim. Property crime is more common, at a rate of 2,510 per 100,000, meaning residents should stay vigilant. Overall, safety is comparable to many U.S. cities of similar size.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
362
Property Crimes Per 100k:
2,510
Crime Index:
2,872
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 276
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 40
Weather
What is the weather like in Santa Barbara, CA year-round?
Santa Barbara enjoys a mild, Mediterranean climate, with summer highs averaging 77°F and winter lows rarely dipping below 43°F. The city boasts about 78% sunny days annually and receives approximately 18.5 inches of rainfall, making it ideal for year-round outdoor activities. Residents appreciate the comfortable temperatures and abundant sunshine.
Winter
Min:
43°F
Max:
65°F
Spring
Min:
48°F
Max:
72°F
Summer
Min:
57°F
Max:
77°F
Fall
Min:
50°F
Max:
74°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
18.5 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
78%
Neighbors
The typical Santa Barbara household earns about $89,200 per year, with a per capita income of $56,200 and a poverty rate of 13.9%. Most residents have at least a high school diploma, and nearly half hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Commuting is easy, with average travel times of just 18 minutes and limited reliance on public transit.
Median Income:
$53,900
Household Income:
$89,200
Family Income:
$120,300
Per Capita Income:
$56,200
Income Male:
$61,000
Income Female:
$50,900
Poverty Rate:
13.9%
Non English Speakers:
28.0%
Rent:
$2,650
Unemployment Rate:
3.7%
Public Transport Usage:
4.9%
Commute Time:
18.1 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
89.7%
Bachelors or More:
48.1%
Education
How are the schools in Santa Barbara, CA?
Santa Barbara offers excellent educational opportunities, from reputable public and private schools to higher education institutions like UC Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College. Public schools such as Santa Barbara Senior High and La Cumbre Junior High serve the city, and nearly half of adults have earned at least a bachelor’s degree. Students benefit from a robust academic environment and a variety of extracurricular options.
Public Schools
Name:
Santa Barbara Senior High School
Street:
700 E Anapamu St
Phone:
805-966-9101
Students:
2,100
Student Teacher Ratio:
21.5
Name:
La Cumbre Junior High
Street:
2255 Modoc Rd
Phone:
805-687-0761
Students:
650
Student Teacher Ratio:
18.3
Private Schools
Name:
Laguna Blanca School
Street:
4125 Paloma Dr
Phone:
805-687-2461
Students:
360
Colleges
Name:
University of California, Santa Barbara
City:
Santa Barbara
State:
CA
Distance:
8 miles
Students:
26,000
Name:
Santa Barbara City College
City:
Santa Barbara
State:
CA
Distance:
2 miles
Students:
13,000
Healthcare
Santa Barbara provides strong healthcare access, including major facilities like Cottage Hospital and a high physician-to-population ratio of 3.2 per 1,000 residents. Over 92% of locals are covered by health insurance, contributing to above-average healthcare outcomes. Both general and behavioral health services are readily available.
Major Hospitals
Name:
Cottage Hospital
Address:
400 W Pueblo St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Phone:
(805) 682-7111
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Santa Barbara Behavioral Health
Address:
315 Camino del Remedio, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Phone:
(805) 681-5220
Type:
Behavioral Health
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
3.2
Health Insurance Coverage:
92.8%
Health Care Index:
76.1
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Santa Barbara, CA?
The housing market in Santa Barbara is competitive, with a median home price of $1.4 million and average two-bedroom rents nearing $3,000. Owner-occupancy is lower than the national average at around 43%, and vacancies are scarce at just 3.6%. Home values have appreciated over 6% in the past year, reflecting ongoing demand.
Median Home Price:
$1,400,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$2,950
Owner Occupied Rate:
42.7%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
3.6%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
6.1%
New Construction Rate:
0.8%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.3%
DMV Information
Santa Barbara residents are served by the California Department of Motor Vehicles located on Castillo Street. The DMV provides standard licensing, vehicle registration, and title services, all accessible both in-person and via the official state website. The local office offers convenient access for all driver and vehicle needs.
State:
California
Department:
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
535 Castillo St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone:
1-800-777-0133
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.