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Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Cost of living in Santa Barbara County, CA

Part of the Santa Maria Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$4,643/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 443,975 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $2,688 58%
Healthcare $480 10%
Federal tax $471 10%
Groceries $397 9%
Transport $250 5%
Energy $217 5%
State tax $80 2%
Water $60 1%

Rent in Santa Barbara County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$2,381
per month
1 bedroom
$2,688
per month
2 bedroom
$3,028
per month
3 bedroom
$4,011
per month
4 bedroom
$4,468
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Santa Barbara County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$95,977
per year
Individual earnings
$38,861
per year
Per capita
$46,679
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Santa Barbara County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$735,700
Annual property tax
$4,870

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Santa Barbara County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$167
per month · 30.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$50
per month
Annual total
$2,604
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Santa Barbara County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
9.2%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Santa Barbara County

State and local tax rates for California.

State income tax
13.3%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
7.3%
Combined sales tax
8.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Santa Barbara County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
20.8 min
Drive alone
65.3%
Public transit
2.3%
Work from home
12.5%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Santa Barbara County

What it costs to live in Santa Barbara County each month.

Single person
$4,643
per month
  • Rent $2,688
  • Energy $217
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $397
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $471
  • State tax $80
Couple
$6,936
per month
  • Rent $3,028
  • Energy $260
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $658
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,241
  • State tax $465
Family
$10,126
per month
  • Rent $4,011
  • Energy $326
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $998
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,241
  • State tax $465

Frequently asked questions about Santa Barbara County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Santa Barbara County?

In Santa Barbara County, CA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $2,688 per month, a two-bedroom averages $3,028 per month, a three-bedroom averages $4,011 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Santa Barbara County?

In Santa Barbara County, CA, the average household income is $95,977 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $38,861 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Santa Barbara County?

The estimated cost of living in Santa Barbara County, CA is approximately $4,643 per month for a single person, $6,936 for a couple, $10,126 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Santa Barbara County?

The combined sales tax rate in Santa Barbara County, CA is 8.85%, which includes the California state rate of 7.25% plus an average local rate of 1.60%.

Is Santa Barbara County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Santa Barbara County, CA would need approximately $4,643 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $95,977 per year ($7,998 per month). Santa Barbara County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Santa Barbara County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Santa Barbara County, CA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Santa Barbara County?

The average home value in Santa Barbara County, CA is $735,700, with average annual property taxes of $4,870, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Santa Barbara County compare to other areas?

You can compare Santa Barbara County, CA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Santa Barbara County is in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area.

Other counties in California

Browse the full list of counties in California, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in California

Compare Santa Barbara County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources