4+ Bedroom Apartment Rent in Santa Barbara, CA
Median asking rent for a 4+ bedroom apartment in Santa Barbara, California as of October 2026. That's +54% higher than the citywide median of $3,642 and +123% above the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,520.
Income needed for a 4+ bedroom in Santa Barbara
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 4+ bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Santa Barbara
Compare Santa Barbara's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 4+ bedroom in California
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,929 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,930 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,980 |
| 4 | California City | $2,070 |
| 5 | Florin | $2,076 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $2,100 |
| 7 | Porterville | $2,210 |
| 8 | Oroville | $2,215 |
| 9 | El Centro | $2,220 |
| 10 | Paradise | $2,230 |
| 11 | Red Bluff | $2,230 |
| 12 | La Riviera | $2,250 |
| 13 | Eureka | $2,280 |
| 14 | Fortuna | $2,300 |
| 15 | Shafter | $2,320 |
Most expensive cities for a 4+ bedroom in California
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coronado | $6,970 |
| 2 | Montecito | $6,700 |
| 3 | Solana Beach | $6,500 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $6,370 |
| 5 | Scotts Valley | $6,270 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $6,270 |
| 7 | Aptos | $6,270 |
| 8 | Newport Beach | $6,188 |
| 9 | Foster City | $6,050 |
| 10 | Irvine | $5,986 |
| 11 | Carlsbad | $5,908 |
| 12 | Los Altos | $5,850 |
| 13 | Encinitas | $5,820 |
| 14 | Laguna Beach | $5,770 |
| 15 | Chula Vista | $5,738 |
Nearby cities — 4+ bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 4+ bedroom rents than Santa Barbara.
| City | Distance | 4+ Bedroom rent | vs Santa Barbara |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isla Vista, CA | 8.3 mi | $3,501 | $-2,123 (-38%) |
| Montecito, CA | 8.6 mi | $6,700 | +$1,076 (+19%) |
| Carpinteria, CA | 15.8 mi | $5,100 | $-524 (-9%) |
| Goleta, CA | 23.7 mi | $4,880 | $-744 (-13%) |
| Ventura, CA | 29.4 mi | $4,077 | $-1,547 (-28%) |
| Ojai, CA | 30.3 mi | $3,590 | $-2,034 (-36%) |
| Oxnard, CA | 42.7 mi | $3,775 | $-1,849 (-33%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 43.3 mi | $4,080 | $-1,544 (-27%) |
| Santa Paula, CA | 44.8 mi | $3,490 | $-2,134 (-38%) |
| Port Hueneme, CA | 50.3 mi | $3,830 | $-1,794 (-32%) |
| Camarillo, CA | 51.4 mi | $4,645 | $-979 (-17%) |
| Taft, CA | 53.8 mi | $1,930 | $-3,694 (-66%) |
4+ Bedroom rent in Santa Barbara — common questions
How much is a 4+ bedroom apartment in Santa Barbara?
As of October 2026, the median 4+ bedroom apartment rent in Santa Barbara, California is $5,624 per month. This is +54% higher than the citywide median of $3,642.
What income do you need to afford a 4+ bedroom in Santa Barbara?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $224,960 ($18,747/month gross), which works out to roughly $108.15/hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Barbara expensive for a 4+ bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Santa Barbara's 4+ bedroom median of $5,624 is +123% above the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,520. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Santa Barbara rank for 4+ bedroom rent in California?
Among the 379 cities in California with 4+ bedroom data, Santa Barbara ranks #362 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 4+ bedroom options near Santa Barbara?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 4+ bedroom rents include Isla Vista ($3,501), Carpinteria ($5,100), Goleta ($4,880).