What housing costs when you move to Santa Barbara
Zillow's observed rent for the City of Santa Barbara was $3,642 a month in September 2026, up 3.8% in a year and the highest monthly figure in Zillow's series. Zillow's typical home value was $1,805,649, up 4.9% in a year and also a record. Buying at that value with 20% down, a loan of about $1,444,519, at Freddie Mac's 7.24% average rate for the week of October 29, 2026, means about $9,844 a month in principal and interest. Property tax in the city's main tax rate area (TRA 002-000) is 1.05079% for 2026-27 in the Auditor-Controller's rate book, or about $18,900 a year ($1,575 a month) at that price after the homeowners' exemption.
| Monthly cost | Renting | Owning at the typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $3,642 rent (Zillow, Sept 2026) | $9,844 principal and interest |
| Property tax | Included in rent | About $1,575 at 1.05079% |
| Water, sewer and trash | Ask the landlord who pays the city bill | One City of Santa Barbara utility bill |
| Electricity and gas | SCE and SoCalGas bills | SCE and SoCalGas bills |
| Bus | $80 MTD 30-day adult pass | Same |
Redfin's median sale price for the city was $1,880,105 for the three months to September 2026, with 166 homes sold and a median of 44 days on market. For groceries, insurance and the rest of a household budget, see our Santa Barbara cost of living page, and for the price trend, the Santa Barbara housing market report.
Renting first: what Santa Barbara tenants pay by ZIP
Most newcomers rent before they buy, and most of the city rents: the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey counts 21,825 renter-occupied homes out of 36,291 occupied homes, about 60%. The survey's median gross rent for the city is $2,413. It covers every lease, including long-held ones, so it runs far below Zillow's $3,642 for homes rented recently. Use the Census column to compare ZIPs with each other, and Zillow's figure to budget.
| ZIP | Census median gross rent, 2020-2024 | Owner-occupied share | Median household income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93101 | $2,250 | 22.9% | $90,148 |
| 93103 | $2,587 | 43.1% | $122,159 |
| 93105 | $2,650 | 52.8% | $138,286 |
| 93109 | $2,823 | 55.5% | $123,347 |
| 93110 | $2,326 | 63.7% | $129,209 |
| 93111 | $2,869 | 65.8% | $144,353 |
93101 has the most rentals by far: only 22.9% of its occupied homes are owner-occupied. 93110 and 93111 lean toward owners, and much of their land lies outside city limits in the unincorporated Eastern Goleta Valley, so check whether an address is in the city before you assume city services or city rules apply. Our Santa Barbara ZIP code guide covers each ZIP, and the neighborhoods guide covers each area.
Moving costs into Santa Barbara
Movers and trucks for a Santa Barbara move
Get at least three written estimates, and send each mover the exact address. If the home is on a hillside street on the Riviera or in the foothills, ask whether a full-size truck can reach the door or whether the crew will need a smaller shuttle truck, and what that adds. Ask too about stairs and long carries, which are common on sloped lots.
Parking a truck in a Santa Barbara permit area
The city runs a Residential Permit Parking Program in lettered areas: Area A north of Cabrillo near the harbor, Areas B through G in the downtown core off State Street (restricted Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Area L on Modoc Street near La Cumbre Junior High (residents only, 24 hours) and Area M on the Mesa near Santa Barbara City College (school days, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Applications are online only. Each permit carries a $45 non-refundable processing fee, each home can hold up to three annual permits and one visitor permit, and daily guest permits cost $5. Permits are now virtual and tied to a license plate.
A permit catch for out-of-state cars
The city says annual residential vehicle permits are valid only for vehicles registered in California. If you move into a permit area with out-of-state plates, register the car in California first, then apply for the permit. Until then, plan on paid lots or parking outside the permit area.
Deposits and up-front fees
Budget for a security deposit and first month's rent, plus utility setup. The City of Santa Barbara charges a $65 service initiation fee to open a water, sewer and trash account. Its other listed fees include $65 to reconnect service, a $15 monthly late fee on a delinquent balance and $25 for a returned payment.
A timeline for moving to Santa Barbara
Two to three months before the move
Decide whether to rent or buy first. With a typical value above $1.8 million, many buyers rent while they learn the areas. If you are buying, get pre-approved and ask about fire hazard area, flood and insurance checks for each address you like. Our California home buying guide covers the steps.
Four to six weeks before
Book movers and ask about truck access. Get insurance quotes for the exact address: hillside homes in the city's High Fire Hazard Areas can have fewer insurers. Our California homeowners insurance guide explains the market. Gather school records and immunization forms if children will enroll.
Moving week
Call City Utility Billing at (805) 564-5343 to start water, sewer and trash service. Start electric service with Southern California Edison (24-hour line 1-800-655-4555) and gas with SoCalGas (1-877-238-0092). Sign up for ReadySBC alerts and look up your emergency zone.
The first 20 days after you arrive
The DMV requires a vehicle registered in another state to be registered in California within 20 days of becoming a resident. Apply for a California driver's license, register to vote, and, if you bought, file the homeowners' exemption. If you live in a permit parking area, apply for your permit once the car has California plates.
Setting up utilities in Santa Barbara
Water and sewer: City of Santa Barbara Utility Billing
Inside the city, water, sewer and trash come on one bill from the City. Start or stop service through Utility Billing at (805) 564-5343. The public counter is at City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street, Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pay online through the WaterSmart portal or by phone at (855) 844-0038; the city says its City Hall payment drop box closes permanently in fall 2026. For a water main break, call (805) 564-5413 at any hour. Water rate and conservation questions go to (805) 564-5460, and the city publishes a water rate calculator.
Trash and recycling: MarBorg Industries
MarBorg Industries is the city's franchised hauler. Call MarBorg at (805) 963-1852 to start or stop service, order extra pickups or report illegal dumping. The charges appear on your city utility bill, and the city's Clean Community Division, at 801 Garden Street, takes general questions at (805) 564-5631.
Electricity: SCE and Santa Barbara Clean Energy
Southern California Edison delivers power and sends the bill. Santa Barbara Clean Energy (SBCE), the city's own electricity provider, supplies the power itself to homes in the city, and says it delivers 100% carbon-free power. Look for "Santa Barbara Clean Energy" on your first SCE bill. You can opt down to Green Start, 50% clean energy at the same generation rate as SCE, or opt out entirely, but if you opt out you lose SBCE rebates and cannot rejoin for a year. Call SBCE at (805) 897-1979.
Natural gas: SoCalGas
Southern California Gas Company bills for and delivers natural gas in the city. Start service at socalgas.com or through its 24-hour line, 1-877-238-0092. If you are buying, ask whether the home's water heater, range or furnace is gas or electric, since SBCE offers electrification rebates.
Internet and cable
The city's utility page lists Cox Communications for cable, internet and phone, with service handled through Cox directly. Check which providers serve your exact address before you sign a lease if you work from home.
Driver's license, vehicle registration and voting
California driver's license
The DMV says new residents who intend to drive must apply for a California license. A REAL ID has been needed to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities with a driver's license since May 7, 2025, so request the REAL ID version unless you plan to fly on a passport.
Vehicle registration
Register any vehicle from another state within 20 days of becoming a resident or bringing it into California. In Santa Barbara this also unlocks a residential parking permit, which the city issues only to California-registered vehicles.
Registering to vote in Santa Barbara County
Register or update your address at registertovote.ca.gov. The Santa Barbara County Elections Office is at 4440-A Calle Real, Santa Barbara 93110, phone (805) 568-2200, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 61510, Santa Barbara 93160. The county's Clerk-Recorder-Assessor is also the Registrar of Voters, so elections, deeds and assessments sit in one department.
Filing the homeowners' exemption in Santa Barbara County
What the exemption saves on a Santa Barbara home
If you own the home and live in it as your main residence, the homeowners' exemption takes $7,000 off its taxable value. At the city's 2026-27 rate of 1.05079%, that is about $74 a year. It is a one-time filing: the Board of Equalization says you do not refile each year, but you must tell the Assessor if you stop qualifying.
How and when to file in Santa Barbara County
Use form BOE-266, the Claim for Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption, from the Santa Barbara County Assessor. File it with the Assessor; the BOE says first-time filers should file by February 15 for the full exemption that year. The Assessor's office is at 105 E. Anapamu Street, Room 204, phone (805) 568-2550. It also handles supplemental valuations after a sale and transfers of a Prop 13 base value.
Supplemental bills after you buy
A purchase triggers a supplemental valuation for the difference between the seller's old value and your price, and a supplemental bill separate from the annual one. On a Santa Barbara purchase the gap can be large, so set money aside after closing. Bill questions go to the Treasurer-Tax Collector at 105 E. Anapamu Street, Room 109, (805) 568-2920. Our Santa Barbara County property tax guide works through the timing and a sample supplemental bill.
Wildfire, earthquake and tsunami preparation
Sign up for ReadySBC alerts and learn your zone
The city's Office of Emergency Services, at 925 Chapala Street, points residents to ReadySBC alerts run by the county Office of Emergency Management. The countywide Emergency Zones Map, powered by Genasys, shows where evacuations or shelter-in-place orders are in effect. Type your address at ReadySBC.org/emergency now so you know your zone, and install the Genasys Protect app and follow that zone for push alerts. The OES information line is 805-897-2600 in English and Spanish.
Santa Barbara's High Fire Hazard Areas
The city fire department says homes in its High Fire Hazard Areas are at risk from wildland fire and cites the Sycamore, Painted Cave, Tea and Jesusita fires. To check a parcel, open the city's MAPS viewer and turn on the Fire, High Fire Hazard Area layer, then search the address or APN. A Coastal Wildfire Suppression Assessment District approved on June 30, 2026 funds roadside clearance, defensible space chipping and vegetation work in the Coastal and Coastal Interior areas. Members can book a voluntary defensible space inspection at (805) 965-5254.
Fire hazard disclosure and insurance when you buy
Since July 1, 2021, sales of homes in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Area in California must include a home hardening and defensible space advisory and disclosure (Civil Code 1102.19), and the city recommends sellers get an evaluation. Ask for it early. If standard insurers decline a hillside home, the FAIR Plan is the fallback; see our California wildfire zones guide and FAIR Plan guide.
Tsunami zones and earthquake insurance
Low-lying addresses near the harbor, East Beach and the waterfront should be checked on the California Geological Survey's tsunami hazard area maps, which have a Santa Barbara County page. Ask your insurer whether your homeowners or renters policy covers earthquake damage, and price a separate earthquake policy before you close. Our California earthquake insurance guide explains the deductibles.
Enrolling in Santa Barbara schools
Santa Barbara Unified School District enrolls new students through Aeries Online Enrollment, which assigns a school of residence from the student's home address. Its high schools are Santa Barbara, San Marcos and Dos Pueblos, and its junior highs are Santa Barbara, La Cumbre, La Colina and Goleta Valley. You need proof of age (a birth certificate, passport or one of the other listed documents), an immunization record including the Tdap booster for new 7th graders, and one proof of address, such as a lease, a utility bill (gas, electric or water), a grant deed or a property tax receipt. A child is eligible for transitional kindergarten after turning four by September 1, and for kindergarten after turning five by that date.
Not every Santa Barbara address is in the same elementary district. Hope Elementary School District, for example, has its office at 3970 La Colina Road, 93110. Check the district's Attendance Area by Street Address tool or call Student Services at (805) 963-4338, ext. 6276 or 6278. The district's deadline for transfer requests is January 15, 2027 at 5 p.m. We never claim an address is zoned for a school; confirm with the district. Our Santa Barbara schools page lists California School Dashboard results.
Getting around after you move
MTD bus fares and passes
A regular MTD ride is $2.50; youth in grades K-12 pay $1.25, and seniors 65 and over and riders with disabilities or a Medicare card pay a reduced fare. A day pass is $6 and an adult 30-day pass is $80, or $65 for youth. A 10-ride adult pass is $17.50 and does not expire. You can Tap2Ride with a contactless card or phone, which builds toward the day and 30-day pass prices. Buy passes at the MTD Transit Center, 1020 Chapala Street, or the Eastside Library at 1102 East Montecito Street.
Students and commuters
UCSB and SBCC students ride free with a valid student ID. The Census survey puts the average commute for city residents at 17.3 minutes, short by California standards, but trips along Highway 101 toward Goleta or Ventura County slow sharply at rush hour, so drive your route at the time you will travel before you sign.
Your first month in Santa Barbara: a checklist
- Call City Utility Billing at (805) 564-5343 and register on WaterSmart to pay online.
- Call MarBorg at (805) 963-1852 to confirm trash pickup and cart sizes.
- Start SCE and SoCalGas service, and check the SBCE line on your first SCE bill.
- Sign up for ReadySBC alerts and look up your Genasys emergency zone.
- Check your parcel on the city's High Fire Hazard Area map and the CGS tsunami map.
- Register out-of-state vehicles within 20 days and apply for a California license.
- Apply online for a residential parking permit if your street is in a lettered permit area.
- Register to vote at registertovote.ca.gov.
- If you bought, file form BOE-266 with the Assessor and set money aside for the supplemental bill.
- Enroll children through Aeries Online Enrollment with a utility bill or lease as proof of address.
Still deciding whether to move at all? Read is Santa Barbara a good place to live.