1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Goleta, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Goleta, California as of August 2026. That's +23% lower than the citywide median of $3,823 and +111% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Goleta
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Goleta
Compare Goleta's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $914 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $969 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Goleta.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Goleta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lompoc, CA | 20.2 mi | $2,390 | $-550 (-19%) |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 23.7 mi | $3,382 | +$442 (+15%) |
| Montecito, CA | 32.3 mi | $4,030 | +$1,090 (+37%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 36.3 mi | $2,560 | $-380 (-13%) |
| Carpinteria, CA | 39.4 mi | $3,070 | +$130 (+4%) |
| Nipomo, CA | 48.2 mi | $1,940 | $-1,000 (-34%) |
| Ventura, CA | 51.2 mi | $2,227 | $-713 (-24%) |
| Ojai, CA | 53.5 mi | $1,890 | $-1,050 (-36%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 55.2 mi | $2,000 | $-940 (-32%) |
| Grover Beach, CA | 57.7 mi | $1,840 | $-1,100 (-37%) |
| Pismo Beach, CA | 61.6 mi | $2,230 | $-710 (-24%) |
| Oxnard, CA | 65.5 mi | $1,980 | $-960 (-33%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Goleta — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Goleta?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Goleta, California is $2,940 per month. This is +23% below the citywide median of $3,823.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Goleta?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $117,600 ($9,800/month gross), which works out to roughly $56.54/hour at a full-time job.
Is Goleta expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Goleta's 1-bedroom median of $2,940 is +111% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Goleta rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 379 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Goleta ranks #332 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Goleta?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Lompoc ($2,390), Santa Maria ($2,560), Nipomo ($1,940).