
Cheap 3 Bedroom Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA from $1,285 (1 Rental)

Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants
Read our practical guide to landlord and tenant rights. Understand protected classes, reasonable accommodations, and legal exceptions to prevent housing discrimination.
Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Santa Barbara?
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Santa Barbara Studio Apartments | $3,137 | $2,025 | $4,200 |
Santa Barbara 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,731 | $1,285 | $4,800 |
Santa Barbara 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,967 | $1,190 | $8,000 |
Santa Barbara 3 Bedroom Apartments | $6,336 | $1,285 | $10,000+ |
Santa Barbara 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,811 | $1,320 | $9,900 |
Explore Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide
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Quick Rent Budget Calculator
How much rent can you afford?
The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.
Getting Around Santa Barbara, CA
Walk Score®
82 / 100
Very Walkable
Most errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
84 / 100
Very Bikeable
Biking is convenient for most trips
Transit Score®
39 / 100
Some Transit
A few nearby public transportation options
What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?
- Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
- Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
- Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Santa Barbara Apartments
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Santa Barbara?
The cheapest apartment in Santa Barbara is The Arroyo House Student Living. which is listed at $1,285, while the average apartment in Santa Barbara costs $10,353.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Santa Barbara?
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 7 regular apartments in Santa Barbara 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?
Cheap apartments in Santa Barbara have an average cost of $946 which is $9,407 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Santa Barbara.
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.

Rise of Digital Nomads: Remote Work Tips for Apartment Renters
Written by: Brandie Parton
As a digital nomad, you no longer call a set address or office building your home for eight hours of the day or more.

Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Everyone needs a place to live and to call home. For decades, the federal government has established protections to ensure that individuals and families can find housing free from discriminatory barriers.

Renting Smart: Lease Basics Every Renter Needs
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Often, in the excitement of finding a new place to live, there’s a rush to make it happen, and - too often - a new tenant signs a lease without reading it carefully.

Battling the Butts: Your Guide to the Reality of Smoke-Free Renting
Written by: Andrea Lee Negroni, JD
While many apartment buildings are “no smoking” properties, it’s hard to know exactly how many. In 2017, the National Apartment Association reported more than half of rental properties had smoke free policies.