Cheap Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara County, CA from $600 (27 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Santa Barbara County.

593 Venus Ave

Villa del Sol Senior Apts 55+

Vandenberg Senior Residence

The Arroyo House Student Living.

Santa Maria Studios - Seniors 55+

Arbor Square Apartments

622 N B St

La Vista
Santa Barbara County, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Santa Barbara County?
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Santa Barbara County Studio Apartments | $1,992 | $1,200 | $4,501 |
Santa Barbara County 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,662 | $905 | $6,382 |
Santa Barbara County 2 Bedroom Apartments | $3,101 | $1,088 | $6,736 |
Santa Barbara County 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,380 | $1,258 | $10,000+ |
Santa Barbara County 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,604 | $1,220 | $9,900 |
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Cheapest Available Santa Barbara County Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in Santa Barbara County, CA is a 2 Beds unit found at Sierra Sands in the Harvest Glen neighborhood priced from $1,088. Vandenberg Senior Residence in the Harvest Glen neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,250. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Santa Barbara County apartments for rent:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
---|---|---|---|
Sierra Sands | 2 Bedroom 1 Bath | 2BR,1BA | $1,088 |
Vandenberg Senior Residence | Studio 1 Bathroom | Studio,1BA | $1,250 |
The Arroyo House Student Living. | Old Mesa | 3BR,1BA | $1,285 |
Santa Maria Studios - Seniors 55+ | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,336 |
Arbor Square Apartments | 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $1,444 |
La Vista | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,616 |
Fiesta | Studio Unit | Studio,1BA | $1,722 |
363 Palm Way | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $1,750 |
Chestnut Village | 1 Bed, 1 bath | 1BR,1BA | $1,850 |
Cassia Apartments | One Bed A | 1BR,1BA | $1,922 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara County, CA
As of March 29, 2025 the best value apartment in the Santa Barbara County area is the $2.38 price per square foot 3x2 Mahogany Finish Model at St Claire in the in the Harvest Glen neighborhood starting from $2,994. The second greatest value Santa Barbara County apartment is the Monterey Model at Refugio starting at $2,950 with a $2.37 price per square foot in the Harvest Glen neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Santa Barbara County apartments based on price per square foot:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
---|---|---|---|
St Claire | 3x2 Mahogany Finish | 3BR,2BA | $2.38 |
Refugio | Monterey | 3BR,2.5BA | $2.37 |
Montiavo | Umbria | 2BR,2BA | $2.63 |
Sierra Sands | 3 Bedroom 2 Bath | 3BR,2BA | $1.17 |
La Plaza Villas | 3/1 Flat | 3BR,1BA | $2.78 |
Tropicana Student Housing | Tropicana Gardens | 3BR,2BA | $2.01 |
The Diplomat | 2-Bedroom, 1-Bath | 2BR,1BA | $2.68 |
152- 1825 Chapala LLC | 1bed/1bath | 1BR,1BA | $2.67 |
363 Palm Way | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $2.44 |
Breakpointe Coronado | Breakpointe Studio | Studio ,1BA | $2.69 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Santa Barbara County Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Santa Barbara County?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Santa Barbara County is under $1,922.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Santa Barbara County?
The cheapest apartment in Santa Barbara County is The Arroyo House Student Living. which is listed at $1,285, while the average apartment in Santa Barbara County costs $2,950.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Santa Barbara County?
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 61 regular apartments in Santa Barbara County 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 County?
Cheap apartments in Santa Barbara County have an average cost of $504 which is $2,446 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Santa Barbara County.
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.

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.

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.