ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 93103

Part of Santa Barbara, CA

Pop. 19,382·Santa Barbara County·110th most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$3,983/mo

Year-over-Year

+4.0%

Month-over-Month

+0.6%

vs US Median

+$2,051

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 93103 · $3,983

More expensive than 97% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,830

1 BR

$3,160

2 BR

$3,600

3 BR

$4,700

4 BR+

$5,350

Research median

$3,600/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Cheapest month to sign

December. Asking rents in ZIP 93103 usually run 1.7% below trend in December and 2% above it in May, about $147 a month apart at today's median. Based on 5 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 93103 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2021.

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in ZIP 93103 changed +4.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.2%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($122,159) is $3,054 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a studio ($2,830); a 1-bedroom is $3,160.

Rank in Santa Barbara

3rd cheapest of 5 ZIP codes in Santa Barbara.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 93101, 2 miles away, rents for 16% less ($3,332/mo), about $7,800 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 93103. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$47,796/yr

At $3,983/mo median

Location

CitySanta Barbara

StateCA

CountySanta Barbara County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (4.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+4.0% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 93103 (Santa Barbara, CA) is majority renter-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 47.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

19,382

Median income

$122,159

Median age

41.7

Renters

56.9%

Age distribution

16.1%

26.7%

25.5%

12.2%

19.5%

Under 1816.1%

18–3426.7%

35–5425.5%

55–6412.2%

65+19.5%

Gender

49.2%

50.8%

Male49.2%

Female50.8%

Race & ethnicity

49.7%

48.8%

White49.7%

Black1.3%

Hispanic48.8%

Asian4.5%

Education (25+)

13.1%

15.2%

24.3%

47.4%

No HS diploma13.1%

HS diploma15.2%

Some college24.3%

Bachelor's+47.4%

Housing tenure

43.1%

56.9%

Owner43.1%

Renter56.9%

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

2022 vs 2026

How ZIP 93103 in Santa Barbara, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$3,356 → $3,983

up 18.7%

Income

$99,725 → $122,159

up 22.5%

Population

19,282 → 19,382

up 0.5%

Renter share

51.5% → 56.9%

+5.4 pts

Bachelor's+

45.1% → 47.4%

+2.3 pts

Median age

38.7 → 41.7

+3.0 yrs

Since 2022, the typical rent in ZIP 93103 in Santa Barbara, CA has increased from $3,356 to $3,983, a 18.7% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 93103 in Santa Barbara, CA now reports about $122,159, up from $99,725 in 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. Renters now make up 56.9% of households, compared with 51.5% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 47.4% of adults here, versus 45.1% in 2021. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 93103 in Santa Barbara, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

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About renting in ZIP 93103

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 93103 covers Santa Barbara, CA. The median rent here is $3,983/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $3,160/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $3,600/mo.

At 39% of local median household income ($122,159/yr), ZIP 93103 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 93103?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $159,000/year (about $76/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,983/mo in ZIP 93103. The local median household income is $122,159/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 93103?

Rent in ZIP 93103 has risen 4.0% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2021.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 93103?

Asking rents in ZIP 93103 are usually lowest in December, about 1.7% below their yearly trend, and highest in May, about 2% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $147 a month. This pattern comes from 5 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 93103 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 93103 is one of the pricier among California ZIP codes for rent, ranking #110 of 898 at $3,983/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 93103 changed +4.0%, against a typical +3.2% across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks.