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City Report · CA

Carpinteria

Pop. 13,036·31st most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$4,324/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.0%
Month-over-Month
+20.6%
vs US Median
+$2,362
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Carpinteria · $4,324
More expensive than 98% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
52% of income
EXPENSIVE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $4,324/mo, rent takes about 52% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$173,000/yr
Local median income
$100,658/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Carpinteria's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,720
1 BR
$3,070
2 BR
$3,460
3 BR
$4,580
4 BR+
$5,100
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$3,460/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $4,324 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$51,888/yr
At $4,324/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.0% YoY, +20.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
13,036
Median income
$100,658
Median age
44.8
Renters
38.5%
Age distribution
20.1%
17.4%
25.2%
13%
24.3%
Under 1820.1%
18–3417.4%
35–5425.2%
55–6413%
65+24.3%
Gender
51.4%
48.6%
Male51.4%
Female48.6%
Race & ethnicity
55.5%
43.3%
White55.5%
Black1%
Hispanic43.3%
Asian2.1%
Education (25+)
14.2%
13.4%
28.4%
44%
No HS diploma14.2%
HS diploma13.4%
Some college28.4%
Bachelor's+44%
Housing tenure
61.5%
38.5%
Owner61.5%
Renter38.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Carpinteria, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$78,349 → $100,658
up 28.5%
Population
13,289 → 13,036
down 1.9%
Renter share
44.9% → 38.5%
-6.4 pts
Bachelor's+
39.3% → 44%
+4.7 pts
Median age
40.6 → 44.8
+4.2 yrs

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%.

Community

Discussions about Carpinteria

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View Carpinteria rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Carpinteria on your salary?

At $4,324/mo, how Carpinteria rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Carpinteria rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Carpinteria. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Carpinteria

About renting in Carpinteria, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Carpinteria is $4,324/mo as of August 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 52% of local median household income ($100,658/yr), Carpinteria ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Carpinteria an affordable city for renters?

Carpinteria is considered expensive for renters. At $4,324/mo, rent takes approximately 52% of the local median household income ($100,658/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Carpinteria significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Carpinteria?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $173,000/year (~$83/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $4,324/mo in Carpinteria. The local median household income is $100,658/yr, meaning the typical Carpinteria household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Carpinteria?

Rent in Carpinteria has increased 5.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Carpinteria rent compare to other cities in California?

Carpinteria is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #31 out of 381 tracked cities at $4,324/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carpinteria?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Carpinteria ($4,324/mo): Oxnard ($2,864/mo), Ventura ($2,875/mo), Isla Vista ($3,417/mo).

What percentage of Carpinteria residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38.5% of Carpinteria households are renters, while 61.5% are owner-occupied. Carpinteria leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Carpinteria rent compare to the national average?

Carpinteria's median rent of $4,324/mo is $2,362 (120%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #31 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
52%
EXPENSIVE

At $4,324/mo, rent takes ~52% of Carpinteria's median household income ($100,658/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Carpinteria 52%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Carpinteria affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Carpinteria
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Carpinteria, CA

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