Studio Apartment Rent in Montecito, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Montecito, California as of October 2026. That's +80% lower than the citywide median of $18,039 and +177% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Montecito
Compare Montecito's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Taft | $870 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 7 | California City | $940 |
| 8 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 9 | Paradise | $970 |
| 10 | Eureka | $980 |
| 11 | Oroville | $985 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 14 | Anderson | $1,060 |
| 15 | Shafter | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito (this page) | $3,570 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 13 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 14 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
| 15 | Saratoga | $2,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Montecito.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Montecito |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpinteria, CA | 7.1 mi | $2,720 | $-850 (-24%) |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 8.6 mi | $3,000 | $-570 (-16%) |
| Isla Vista, CA | 16.7 mi | $1,535 | $-2,035 (-57%) |
| Ojai, CA | 21.9 mi | $1,650 | $-1,920 (-54%) |
| Ventura, CA | 22.9 mi | $1,943 | $-1,627 (-46%) |
| Goleta, CA | 32.3 mi | $2,600 | $-970 (-27%) |
| Oxnard, CA | 35 mi | $1,720 | $-1,850 (-52%) |
| Santa Paula, CA | 36.2 mi | $1,560 | $-2,010 (-56%) |
| Port Hueneme, CA | 42.8 mi | $1,760 | $-1,810 (-51%) |
| Camarillo, CA | 43.3 mi | $2,130 | $-1,440 (-40%) |
| Moorpark, CA | 50.7 mi | $2,110 | $-1,460 (-41%) |
| Taft, CA | 51 mi | $870 | $-2,700 (-76%) |
Studio rent in Montecito — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Montecito?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Montecito, California is $3,570 per month. This is +80% below the citywide median of $18,039.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Montecito?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $142,800 ($11,900/month gross), which works out to roughly $68.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Montecito expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Montecito's studio median of $3,570 is +177% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 100th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Montecito rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Montecito ranks #378 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Montecito?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Carpinteria ($2,720), Santa Barbara ($3,000), Isla Vista ($1,535).