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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)
$18,039/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+2.7%
vs US Median
+$16,107
Reported rents
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Montecito · $18,039
More expensive than 100% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Affordability
94% of income
EXPENSIVE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $18,039/mo, rent takes about 94% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$722,000/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($231,005) is $5,775 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($4,540); a 3-bedroom is $6,010.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Montecito. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost
$216,468/yr
At $18,039/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +2.7% 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

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

Can you afford rent in Montecito on your salary?

At $18,039/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: October 17, 2026

The median rent in Montecito is $18,039/mo as of October 2026.

At 94% 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

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 $722,000/year (about $347/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $18,039/mo in Montecito. The local median household income is $231,005/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in Montecito?

Rent in Montecito has been roughly flat over the past year, a 0.0% change.

How does Montecito rent compare to other cities in California?

Montecito is one of the pricier among California cities for rent, ranking #1 of 382 tracked cities at $18,039/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Montecito?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than Montecito ($18,039/mo) include Ventura ($2,898/mo), Santa Barbara ($3,642/mo), and Ojai ($3,747/mo).
Income Affordability
94%
EXPENSIVE

At $18,039/mo, rent takes ~94% of Montecito's median household income ($231,005/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Montecito 94%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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