close
View Me
Rent Specials
from $1,2851 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
The Arroyo House Student Living.
543 1/2 Arroyo AveSanta Barbara, CA 93109
Cheap Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA from $800 (14 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Santa Barbara.
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
close
View Me
Showing Results 1-14, Page 1 of 1
Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide
Surfers in Santa Barbara by Damian Gadal is licensed under CC BY 2.0
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Santa Barbara?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap Santa Barbara Studio Apartments | $2,327 | $1,260 | $3,850 |
| Cheap Santa Barbara 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,976 | $1,285 | $6,310 |
| Cheap Santa Barbara 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,882 | $1,190 | $7,903 |
| Cheap Santa Barbara 3 Bedroom Apartments | $4,665 | $1,285 | $9,826 |
| Cheap Santa Barbara 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,402 | $1,220 | $9,900 |
Browse Top Apartments in Santa Barbara
See all Apartments in Santa BarbaraExplore Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide
Written By:
Staff Writer Local Guide Expert
- Santa Barbara Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Santa Barbara, CA
Pricing Updated: 03/24/2025Current apartment rentals in the Santa Barbara, CA area range in price from $1,190 to $9,900 with an overall median price of $5,046. The three Santa Barbara neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Campanil at $1,285, Elings Park at $1,285, and Hidden Valley at $1,285. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Santa Barbara Apartments for rent:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campanil | $3,850 | $1,285 | 1126 |
| Elings Park | $3,850 | $1,285 | 1164 |
| Hidden Valley | $3,850 | $1,285 | 1181 |
| Hitchcock | $3,850 | $1,285 | 1195 |
| North State | $3,850 | $1,285 | 1195 |
| Oak Park | $3,850 | $1,285 | 1164 |
| Samarkand | $3,850 | $1,285 | 1136 |
| San Roque Parks | $3,850 | $1,285 | 1059 |
| Eucalpytus Hill | $3,950 | $1,285 | 830 |
| Laguna | $3,950 | $1,285 | 830 |
Cheapest Available Santa Barbara Apartments for Rent
The cheapest available apartment rental in Santa Barbara, CA is a 3 Beds unit found at The Arroyo House Student Living. in the Westside neighborhood priced from $1,285. 152- 1825 Chapala LLC in the Westside neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $2,000. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Santa Barbara apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Arroyo House Student Living. | Old Mesa | 3BR,1BA | $1,285 |
| 152- 1825 Chapala LLC | 1bed/1bath | 1BR,1BA | $2,000 |
| Villa Flores Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,400 |
| Hope Ranch | Lucero | 1BR,1BA | $2,587 |
| La Brezza | 2Bed1Bath-A | 2BR,1BA | $2,800 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA
As of March 24, 2025 the best value apartment in the Santa Barbara area is the $3.16 price per square foot 2 BEDROOM Model at Natoma Apartments in the in the Westside neighborhood starting from $3,950. The second greatest value Santa Barbara apartment is the 250 Ellwood Beach Dr Model at 250 Ellwood Beach Dr starting at $2,900 with a $2.64 price per square foot in the Cabrillo Business Park neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Santa Barbara apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natoma Apartments | 2 BEDROOM | 2BR,2BA | $3.16 |
| 250 Ellwood Beach Dr | 250 Ellwood Beach Dr | 2BR,1.5BA | $2.64 |
| 3830 Crescent Dr, Unit B | 3830 Crescent Dr | 2BR,1BA | $3.50 |
| Willow Springs | Anacapa | 2BR,1BA | $3.91 |
| Tropicana Student Housing | Tropicana Gardens | 3BR,2BA | $2.01 |
| The Messina | 2Bed2Bath-A | 2BR,2BA | $4.00 |
| 152- 1825 Chapala LLC | 1bed/1bath | 1BR,1BA | $2.85 |
| Villa Flores Apartments | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $4.00 |
| Breakpointe Coronado | Breakpointe Studio | Studio ,1BA | $2.69 |
| The Arroyo House Student Living. | Foothill | 1BR,1BA | $3.75 |
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.
Let everyone know!
Do you know the Santa Barbara area?
If you’re an expert on all things Santa Barbara, tell us what you love (and don't) by rating it and writing a review.
Write a Review
Santa Barbara Overview
Santa Barbara is a lovely beach town with a small town Spanish flavor. Residents of apartments in Santa Barbarahave access to miles of beautiful beaches, world-class colleges, a beautiful downtown, a slower pace of life and an abundance of opportunities to explore nature.
Why live in Santa Barbara, CA?
With its sparkling, sunny beaches, Mediterranean climate, and beautiful Spanish architecture, there’s no wonder so many people call Santa Barbara home. The pace of life is slower here, and every problem can be solved by a trip (or two) to the beach. It’s far enough away from Los Angeles to feel like you’ve left the city while close enough to nature to feel at home. Its many distinct shops, interesting houses and museums make Santa Barbara a truly unique and charming city.
Best Local Schools in Santa Barbara, CA
Montecito Union
Montecito Union Elementary School District
Public School - Grades K-6 (353)
10 out of 10
San Marcos Senior High
Santa Barbara Unified School District
Public School - Grades 9-12 (2020)
7 out of 10
La Colina Junior High
Santa Barbara Unified School District
Public School - Grades 7-8 (900)
8 out of 10
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Santa Barbara, CA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara, CA Apartments MapSanta Barbara, CA Rental Homes MapGetting 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 a cheap apartment in Santa Barbara?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Santa Barbara is under $3,400.
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 $5,046.
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 251 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 $1,032 which is $4,014 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.
Understanding Amenity Fees: Know Where You Might Be Able to Save Money
Written by: Amber Kanuckel
With the rising costs of housing, a lot of renters are asking this question: Is it possible to opt out of various amenities that your rental property offers so that you can avoid paying the fees.
What to Know About Fees and Fines When Renting
Written by: Trey Huguley
When it comes to renting a new apartment or home there can be a number of fees that you will want to keep in mind going into the process.
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.
How Your Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
If you’re anything like most people, housing costs represent a huge chunk of your monthly budget. On top of that, moving can be both a stressful and expensive affair.