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ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 93101

Pop. 31,554·Santa Barbara County·199th most expensive ZIP in California
Median rent (all units)
$3,430/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.3%
Month-over-Month
+3.3%
vs US Median
+$1,468
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 93101 · $3,430
More expensive than 95% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,962/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$3,050
1 BR
$3,400
2 BR
$3,870
3 BR
$5,050
4 BR+
$5,760
Research median
$3,870/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$41,160/yr
At $3,430/mo median
Location
StateCA
CountySanta Barbara County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.3% YoY, +3.3% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 93101 (Santa Barbara, CA) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 43.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
31,554
Median income
$90,148
Median age
33.1
Renters
77.1%
Age distribution
21.3%
31.9%
23.7%
13.1%
Under 1821.3%
18–3431.9%
35–5423.7%
55–6410%
65+13.1%
Gender
50.9%
49.1%
Male50.9%
Female49.1%
Race & ethnicity
50.1%
46.8%
White50.1%
Black0.9%
Hispanic46.8%
Asian2.9%
Education (25+)
16.7%
15.1%
24.9%
43.3%
No HS diploma16.7%
HS diploma15.1%
Some college24.9%
Bachelor's+43.3%
Housing tenure
22.9%
77.1%
Owner22.9%
Renter77.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 93101 in Santa Barbara, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,470 → $3,430
up 38.9%
Income
$67,368 → $90,148
up 33.8%
Population
31,439 → 31,554
up 0.4%
Renter share
76.6% → 77.1%
+0.5 pts
Bachelor's+
40.4% → 43.3%
+2.9 pts
Median age
32.5 → 33.1
+0.6 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 93101 in Santa Barbara, CA has increased by $960 per month, settling near $3,430 after starting the period at $2,470. Census figures show median household income at $90,148 today, compared with $67,368 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 5.1 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 40.4% to 43.3%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 93101

About renting in ZIP 93101

Last updated: August 17, 2026

ZIP code 93101 covers Santa Barbara, CA. The median rent here is $3,430/mo as of August 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $3,400/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,870/mo.

At 46% of local median household income ($90,148/yr), ZIP 93101 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 93101?

As of August 17, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 93101 (Santa Barbara, CA) is $3,430. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 93101 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 93101's median rent of $3,430/mo is $1,468 (75%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo.

How does ZIP 93101 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 93101 is one of the pricier ZIP codes in California, ranking #199 out of 897 ZIPs tracked at $3,430/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 93101?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $137,000/year (~$66/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,430/mo in ZIP 93101. The local median household income is $90,148/yr, meaning the typical household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 93101?

Rent in ZIP 93101 has increased 11.3% over the past year as of August 17, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 93101 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 93101 is considered stretched for renters. At $3,430/mo, rent takes approximately 46% of the local median household income ($90,148/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 93101 significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

What percentage of ZIP 93101 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 77.1% of ZIP 93101 households are renters, while 22.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 93101 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 93101 compare to the rest of Santa Barbara?

ZIP 93101 is more affordable than Santa Barbara overall. At $3,430/mo, it's $419 below the Santa Barbara citywide median of $3,849/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 93101 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 93101 reflects August 17, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
46%
STRETCHED

At $3,430/mo, rent takes ~46% of ZIP 93101's median household income ($90,148/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 93101 46%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
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Public schools near ZIP 93101 (Santa Barbara, CA)

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