1st Advantage MortgageThe median Santa Barbara County household earns $98,161, and 15% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in California before sharing details.
On this page
- Santa Barbara County by the numbers
- Income in Santa Barbara County compared with California
- Employment and commuting in Santa Barbara County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Santa Barbara County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Santa Barbara County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- People and households in Santa Barbara County
- Local borrowing considerations for Santa Barbara County
- A Santa Barbara County household budget, worked through
- A Santa Barbara County borrower's checklist
- Who licenses lenders for Santa Barbara County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Santa Barbara County by the numbers
Roughly 443,701 residents live in Santa Barbara County, California, 20th by population among the state's 58 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 2,734 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 162 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Santa Maria is the biggest of its 28 Census places, at roughly 110,462 people (25% of the county total).
Income in Santa Barbara County compared with California
Santa Barbara County households have a median income of $98,161 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 19th of 58 in California.
| Band | Santa Barbara County | Compared with California |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.8% | +0.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 33.0% | +0.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.2% | +0.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 20.0% | -0.5 pts |
Some 18% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 49% have six-figure incomes. 14.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.0%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in Santa Barbara County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 13%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 8% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.4% in Santa Barbara County. Long commutes are the exception here: 11% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry | Share of Santa Barbara County workers | vs California |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.9% | +1.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.9% | -1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.2% | +1.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.4% | -0.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.1% | +6.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.4% | -1.5 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Rent, home values and ownership in Santa Barbara County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $2,131 in Santa Barbara County versus $2,036 statewide. By the Census definition, 58% of Santa Barbara County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $790,700, or 8.1 years of median income. 52% of Santa Barbara County households own their home and 48% rent. The median home was built in 1974, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Santa Barbara County | California | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $2,131/mo | $2,036/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $790,700 | $734,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 52% | 56% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 58% | 55% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 38% | 38% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.6% | 3.5% | n/a |
For the many renters in Santa Barbara County, deposits, moving costs and card balances are typical reasons to borrow. Keep the amount small and the term short. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Santa Barbara County
The table lists the 14 largest of 28 Census places in Santa Barbara County, by population. Together all 28 hold about 429,745 people, so roughly 3% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $231,005 at the median in Montecito, $25,972 in Isla Vista. Median rent ranges from $1,526 in University of California-Santa Barbara to $3,501 in Montecito. Live in one of these Santa Barbara County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria | city | 110,462 | $84,746 | $1,925 | 36 mi |
| Santa Barbara | city | 87,779 | $106,182 | $2,413 | 21 mi |
| Lompoc | city | 43,646 | $72,004 | $1,589 | 26 mi |
| Goleta | city | 32,685 | $122,370 | $2,437 | 12 mi |
| Orcutt | CDP | 31,454 | $111,416 | $2,193 | 32 mi |
| Eastern Goleta Valley | CDP | 28,295 | $146,284 | $2,964 | 16 mi |
| Isla Vista | CDP | 13,920 | $25,972 | $1,878 | 13 mi |
| Carpinteria | city | 13,036 | $100,658 | $2,377 | 32 mi |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | CDP | 12,121 | $69,327 | $1,526 | 14 mi |
| Montecito | CDP | 9,031 | $231,005 | $3,501 | 24 mi |
| Guadalupe | city | 8,566 | $66,930 | $1,732 | 42 mi |
| Vandenberg Village | CDP | 6,776 | $110,904 | $2,313 | 27 mi |
| Solvang | city | 6,034 | $109,091 | $1,666 | 7 mi |
| Buellton | city | 5,074 | $99,936 | $2,194 | 10 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Santa Barbara County's, from 53 to 137 miles away. Income ranges from $70,210 in Kern County to $109,797 in Ventura County; 1 of these neighbors top Santa Barbara County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara County | - | $98,161 | $2,131/mo | 52% |
| Ventura County, CA | 53 mi | $109,797 | $2,317/mo | 65% |
| San Luis Obispo County, CA | 63 mi | $97,446 | $1,992/mo | 62% |
| Kern County, CA | 93 mi | $70,210 | $1,300/mo | 60% |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 104 mi | $90,112 | $1,954/mo | 46% |
| Kings County, CA | 107 mi | $70,995 | $1,331/mo | 54% |
| Tulare County, CA | 137 mi | $71,300 | $1,280/mo | 58% |
People and households in Santa Barbara County
37% of Santa Barbara County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 8.7%, against 6.6% for California.
| Indicator | Santa Barbara County | All of California | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.6 | 37.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 36.8% | 37.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.1% | 15.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.7% | 6.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 7.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.4% | 17.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.7% | 12.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.4% | 6.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Santa Barbara County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.0% |
| 60+ min | 5.5% |
Local borrowing considerations for Santa Barbara County
Based on the Santa Barbara County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 49% of Santa Barbara County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Renters under pressure. When 58% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
A Santa Barbara County household budget, worked through
Here is the Santa Barbara County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Santa Barbara County: $8,180
- Housing at the median rent of $2,131 uses 26%
- With a 35% ceiling, about $732 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,550 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $2,131, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
A Santa Barbara County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Santa Barbara County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the California license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Who licenses lenders for Santa Barbara County residents
Santa Barbara County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: California guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
The California guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Santa Barbara County?
$98,161 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $99,122 for California. It ranks 19th of 58 in the state.
How does Santa Barbara County rent compare with California?
$2,131 locally versus $2,036 for the state, 5% above.
I live in a small Santa Barbara County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Lompoc, Goleta, Orcutt and 23 more.
Is the fit check different in Santa Barbara County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Santa Barbara County check a lender's license?
With the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.