1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Montecito, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Montecito, California as of October 2026. That's +78% lower than the citywide median of $18,039 and +189% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Montecito
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 Montecito
Compare Montecito'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 | $938 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 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 | Montecito (this page) | $4,030 |
| 2 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 3 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 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 Montecito.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Montecito |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpinteria, CA | 7.1 mi | $3,070 | $-960 (-24%) |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 8.6 mi | $3,382 | $-648 (-16%) |
| Isla Vista, CA | 16.7 mi | $1,843 | $-2,187 (-54%) |
| Ojai, CA | 21.9 mi | $1,890 | $-2,140 (-53%) |
| Ventura, CA | 22.9 mi | $2,227 | $-1,803 (-45%) |
| Goleta, CA | 32.3 mi | $2,940 | $-1,090 (-27%) |
| Oxnard, CA | 35 mi | $1,980 | $-2,050 (-51%) |
| Santa Paula, CA | 36.2 mi | $1,810 | $-2,220 (-55%) |
| Port Hueneme, CA | 42.8 mi | $2,010 | $-2,020 (-50%) |
| Camarillo, CA | 43.3 mi | $2,445 | $-1,585 (-39%) |
| Moorpark, CA | 50.7 mi | $2,420 | $-1,610 (-40%) |
| Taft, CA | 51 mi | $880 | $-3,150 (-78%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Montecito — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Montecito?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Montecito, California is $4,030 per month. This is +78% below the citywide median of $18,039.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Montecito?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $161,200 ($13,433/month gross), which works out to roughly $77.50/hour at a full-time job.
Is Montecito expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Montecito's 1-bedroom median of $4,030 is +189% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 100th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Montecito rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Montecito ranks #380 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Montecito?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Carpinteria ($3,070), Santa Barbara ($3,382), Isla Vista ($1,843).