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City Report · CA

Montecito

Pop. 9,031·1st most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$21,544/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-7.1%
vs US Median
+$19,579
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Montecito · $21,544
More expensive than 100% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
112% of income
EXPENSIVE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $21,544/mo, rent takes about 112% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$862,000/yr
Local median income
$231,005/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Montecito's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$258,528/yr
At $21,544/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

Montecito, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 76.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
9,031
Median income
$231,005
Median age
50
Renters
24.2%
Age distribution
14.8%
21.2%
17.4%
13.2%
33.5%
Under 1814.8%
18–3421.2%
35–5417.4%
55–6413.2%
65+33.5%
Gender
44.9%
55.1%
Male44.9%
Female55.1%
Race & ethnicity
79.4%
White79.4%
Hispanic11.1%
Asian2.8%
Other6.4%
Education (25+)
17.2%
76.3%
No HS diploma1.6%
HS diploma4.9%
Some college17.2%
Bachelor's+76.3%
Housing tenure
75.8%
24.2%
Owner75.8%
Renter24.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Montecito, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$193,423 → $231,005
up 19.4%
Population
8,494 → 9,031
up 6.3%
Renter share
27.3% → 24.2%
-3.1 pts
Bachelor's+
75.6% → 76.3%
+0.7 pts
Median age
49.2 → 50
+0.8 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $231,005 today, compared with $193,423 five years earlier. Census counts show Montecito, CA adding about 537 residents over the five-year window, up 6.3% on net. The renter share has eased from 27.3% to 24.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

Discussions about Montecito

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

Can you afford rent in Montecito on your salary?

At $21,544/mo, how Montecito rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Montecito rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Montecito

About renting in Montecito, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Montecito is $21,544/mo as of July 2026.

At 112% of local median household income ($231,005/yr), Montecito ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Montecito an affordable city for renters?

Montecito is considered expensive for renters. At $21,544/mo, rent takes approximately 112% of the local median household income ($231,005/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Montecito significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Montecito?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $862,000/year (~$414/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $21,544/mo in Montecito. The local median household income is $231,005/yr, meaning the typical Montecito household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Montecito?

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

How does Montecito rent compare to other cities in California?

Montecito is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #1 out of 387 tracked cities at $21,544/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Montecito?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Montecito ($21,544/mo): Ventura ($2,874/mo), Isla Vista ($3,417/mo), Carpinteria ($3,586/mo).

What percentage of Montecito residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 24.2% of Montecito households are renters, while 75.8% are owner-occupied. Montecito leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Montecito rent compare to the national average?

Montecito's median rent of $21,544/mo is $19,579 (996%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #1 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
112%
EXPENSIVE

At $21,544/mo, rent takes ~112% of Montecito's median household income ($231,005/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Montecito 112%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Montecito affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Montecito, CA

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