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City Report · CA

Isla Vista

Pop. 13,920·92nd most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,417/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-7.1%
vs US Median
+$1,452
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Isla Vista · $3,417
More expensive than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
158% of income
EXPENSIVE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,417/mo, rent takes about 158% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$137,000/yr
Local median income
$25,972/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Isla Vista's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,535
1 BR
$1,843
2 BR
$2,547
3 BR
$1,904
4 BR+
$3,501
Research median
$2,547/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$41,004/yr
At $3,417/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -7.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Isla Vista, CA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 43.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
13,920
Median income
$25,972
Median age
21.2
Renters
98.8%
Age distribution
92.1%
Under 181.8%
18–3492.1%
35–542.8%
55–641%
65+2.3%
Gender
46.5%
53.5%
Male46.5%
Female53.5%
Race & ethnicity
59.1%
20.4%
16.4%
White59.1%
Black4.7%
Hispanic20.4%
Asian16.4%
Education (25+)
21.5%
26.2%
43.7%
No HS diploma8.7%
HS diploma21.5%
Some college26.2%
Bachelor's+43.7%
Housing tenure
98.8%
Owner1.2%
Renter98.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Isla Vista, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$22,386 → $25,972
up 16.0%
Population
15,732 → 13,920
down 11.5%
Renter share
99% → 98.8%
-0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
44.3% → 43.7%
-0.6 pts

Household income in the area moved from $22,386 to $25,972 across the same window, up 16.0% versus 2021. The population has contracted by 11.5% since 2021, moving from about 15,732 residents to roughly 13,920.

Community

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View Isla Vista rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Isla Vista on your salary?

At $3,417/mo, how Isla Vista rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Isla Vista rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Isla Vista

About renting in Isla Vista, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Isla Vista is $3,417/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,535/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,547/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,843/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,904/mo.

At 158% of local median household income ($25,972/yr), Isla Vista ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Isla Vista an affordable city for renters?

Isla Vista is considered expensive for renters. At $3,417/mo, rent takes approximately 158% of the local median household income ($25,972/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Isla Vista significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Isla Vista?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $137,000/year (~$66/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,417/mo in Isla Vista. The local median household income is $25,972/yr, meaning the typical Isla Vista household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Isla Vista?

Rent in Isla Vista has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Isla Vista rent compare to other cities in California?

Isla Vista is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #92 out of 387 tracked cities at $3,417/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Isla Vista?

Ventura is nearby and more affordable at $2,874/mo, which is $543 less than Isla Vista.

What percentage of Isla Vista residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 98.8% of Isla Vista households are renters, while 1.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Isla Vista has a strong rental market.

How does Isla Vista rent compare to the national average?

Isla Vista's median rent of $3,417/mo is $1,452 (74%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #92 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
158%
EXPENSIVE

At $3,417/mo, rent takes ~158% of Isla Vista's median household income ($25,972/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Isla Vista 158%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Isla Vista affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Isla Vista, CA

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