At $4,679/mo, rent takes about 56% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $4,679 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Carpinteria changed +15.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($100,658) is $2,516 a month. That is less than HUD's Fair Market Rent for a studio ($2,720).
Santa Barbara, 13 miles away, rents for 22% less ($3,642/mo), about $12,400 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Carpinteria. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Carpinteria, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 44% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Carpinteria, CA has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $78,349 to $100,658 across the same window, up 28.5% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 13,289 to 13,036 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.9% change. About 38.5% of households rent today, against 44.9% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 39.3% to 44%.
Discussions about Carpinteria
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Carpinteria on your salary?
At $4,679/mo, how Carpinteria rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Carpinteria rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Carpinteria. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Carpinteria
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Carpinteria is $4,679/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,720/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,460/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,070/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,580/mo.
At 56% of local median household income ($100,658/yr), Carpinteria ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 15.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Carpinteria?
Is rent going up or down in Carpinteria?
How does Carpinteria rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carpinteria?
At $4,679/mo, rent takes ~56% of Carpinteria's median household income ($100,658/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Carpinteria.
No discussions yet.