Cheap Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA from $800 (14 Rentals)

How Many Bedrooms?Done
Select your price rangeDone
Lifestyle Matching SearchDone
By AmenitiesDone
By Community TypeDone
Features and AvailabilityDone
Done

Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Santa Barbara.

close
View Me
Tori Fore
1 Bedroom Apartments

Tori Fore

3790 San Remo DrSanta Barbara, CA 93105
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
Brentwood
Studio Apartments

Brentwood

1429 De La Vina StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
405 Corona del Mar
1 Bedroom Apartments

405 Corona del Mar

405 Corona del MarSanta Barbara, CA 93103
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
De La Vina Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

De La Vina Apartments

3754 San Remo DrSanta Barbara, CA 93105
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
3450 Richland Dr
1 Bedroom Apartments

3450 Richland Dr

3450 Richland DrSanta Barbara, CA 93105
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
Park East Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

Park East Apartments

322-324 E Micheltorena StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
Arlington Village
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Arlington Village

1330 Chapala StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
close
View Me
2102 Bath St
1 Bedroom Apartments

2102 Bath St

2102 Bath StSanta Barbara, CA 93105
close
View Me
Embarcadero Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

Embarcadero Apartments

833 Embarcadero Del MarIsla Vista, CA 93117
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
La Loma Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

La Loma Apartments

851 Camino PescaderoGoleta, CA 93117
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included
close
View Me
Berkshire Terrace
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Berkshire Terrace

6661 Berkshire TerGoleta, CA 93117
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included

Santa Barbara, CA Local Guide

Photo of Staff Writer  - Local Guide Expert
Written By:
Staff Writer
Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Santa Barbara, CA

Pricing Updated: 03/27/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Santa Barbara, CA area range in price from $1,190 to $10,001 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:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Campanil$3,850$1,28530
Elings Park$3,850$1,28531
Hidden Valley$3,850$1,28532
Hitchcock$3,850$1,28533
North State$3,850$1,28533
Oak Park$3,850$1,28531
Samarkand$3,850$1,28530
San Roque Parks$3,850$1,28529
Eucalpytus Hill$3,950$1,28522
Laguna$3,950$1,28522

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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Arroyo House Student Living.Old Mesa3BR,1BA$1,285
152- 1825 Chapala LLC1bed/1bath1BR,1BA$2,000
Villa Flores Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$2,400
Hope RanchLucero1BR,1BA$2,537
La Brezza2Bed1Bath-A2BR,1BA$2,800

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA

As of March 27, 2025 the best value apartment in the Santa Barbara area is the $4.20 price per square foot 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath Model at Arrive Los Carneros II in the in the Downtown Goleta neighborhood starting from $5,979. The second greatest value Santa Barbara apartment is the 2 BEDROOM Model at Natoma Apartments starting at $3,950 with a $3.16 price per square foot in the Westside neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Santa Barbara apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Arrive Los Carneros II3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath3BR,2.5BA$4.20
Natoma Apartments2 BEDROOM2BR,2BA$3.16
3830 Crescent Dr, Unit B3830 Crescent Dr2BR,1BA$3.50
Willow SpringsAnacapa2BR,1BA$3.91
Tropicana Student HousingTropicana Gardens3BR,2BA$2.01
The Messina2Bed2Bath-A2BR,2BA$4.00
152- 1825 Chapala LLC1bed/1bath1BR,1BA$2.67
Villa Flores Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$4.00
Breakpointe CoronadoBreakpointe StudioStudio ,1BA$2.69
The Arroyo House Student Living.Foothill1BR,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.

decorative image of people with a giant lease agreement

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.

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Santa Barbara, CA Rentals by Map

View MapSanta Barbara, CA Apartments MapView MapSanta Barbara, CA Rental Homes Map

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

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 $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 12 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 $1,061 which is $3,985 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.

decorative image for Understanding Amenity Fees: Know Where You Might Be Able to Save Money article

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.

decorative image for Renting Smart: Lease Basics Every Renter Needs article

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.

decorative image for Battling the Butts: Your Guide to the Reality of Smoke-Free Renting article

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.

decorative image for How Your Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit  article

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.