1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Isla Vista, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Isla Vista, California as of July 2026. That's +46% lower than the citywide median of $3,417 and +32% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Isla Vista
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 Isla Vista
Compare Isla Vista's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $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? 1 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Isla Vista.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Isla Vista |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara, CA | 8.3 mi | $3,382 | +$1,539 (+84%) |
| Goleta, CA | 16.3 mi | $2,940 | +$1,097 (+60%) |
| Montecito, CA | 16.7 mi | $4,030 | +$2,187 (+119%) |
| Carpinteria, CA | 23.7 mi | $3,070 | +$1,227 (+67%) |
| Solvang, CA | 24.2 mi | $2,390 | +$547 (+30%) |
| Ventura, CA | 35 mi | $2,227 | +$384 (+21%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 36.4 mi | $2,390 | +$547 (+30%) |
| Ojai, CA | 38.6 mi | $1,890 | +$47 (+3%) |
| Oxnard, CA | 49.2 mi | $1,980 | +$137 (+7%) |
| Santa Maria, CA | 50.2 mi | $2,560 | +$717 (+39%) |
| Santa Paula, CA | 52.6 mi | $1,810 | $-33 (-2%) |
| Port Hueneme, CA | 56.4 mi | $2,010 | +$167 (+9%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Isla Vista — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Isla Vista?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Isla Vista, California is $1,843 per month. This is +46% below the citywide median of $3,417.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Isla Vista?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $73,720 ($6,143/month gross), which works out to roughly $35.44/hour at a full-time job.
Is Isla Vista expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Isla Vista's 1-bedroom median of $1,843 is +32% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 77th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Isla Vista rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Isla Vista ranks #109 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Isla Vista?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Santa Paula ($1,810).