ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 93109

Part of Santa Barbara, CA

Pop. 10,915·Santa Barbara County·39th most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$4,915/mo

Year-over-Year

+8.8%

Month-over-Month

+2.2%

vs US Median

+$2,983

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 93109 · $4,915

More expensive than 99% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$3,500

1 BR

$3,900

2 BR

$4,440

3 BR

$5,790

4 BR+

$6,600

Research median

$4,440/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

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in ZIP 93109 changed +8.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.2%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 7 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($123,347) is $3,084 a month. That is less than HUD's Fair Market Rent for a studio ($3,500).

Rank in Santa Barbara

5th cheapest of 5 ZIP codes in Santa Barbara.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 93101, 1 mile away, rents for 32% less ($3,332/mo), about $19,000 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 93109. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$58,980/yr

At $4,915/mo median

Location

CitySanta Barbara

StateCA

CountySanta Barbara County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 8.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+8.8% YoY, +2.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 93109 (Santa Barbara, CA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 58.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

10,915

Median income

$123,347

Median age

42.4

Renters

44.5%

Age distribution

13.3%

29%

19.7%

12.8%

25.2%

Under 1813.3%

18–3429%

35–5419.7%

55–6412.8%

65+25.2%

Gender

49.2%

50.8%

Male49.2%

Female50.8%

Race & ethnicity

72.3%

19.1%

White72.3%

Black2.3%

Hispanic19.1%

Asian2.3%

Other4%

Education (25+)

26.1%

58.7%

No HS diploma3.4%

HS diploma11.8%

Some college26.1%

Bachelor's+58.7%

Housing tenure

55.5%

44.5%

Owner55.5%

Renter44.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 93109 in Santa Barbara, CA has changed in 5 years

Income

$107,364 → $123,347

up 14.9%

Population

11,291 → 10,915

down 3.3%

Renter share

46.3% → 44.5%

-1.8 pts

Bachelor's+

57.5% → 58.7%

+1.2 pts

Median age

43.6 → 42.4

-1.2 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $107,364 in 2021 to $123,347 more recently. The population has contracted by 3.3% since 2021, moving from about 11,291 residents to roughly 10,915. Renters now make up 44.5% of households, compared with 46.3% five years ago.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 93109

About renting in ZIP 93109

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 93109 covers Santa Barbara, CA. The median rent here is $4,915/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $3,900/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $4,440/mo.

At 48% of local median household income ($123,347/yr), ZIP 93109 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 93109?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $197,000/year (about $95/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $4,915/mo in ZIP 93109. The local median household income is $123,347/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 93109?

Rent in ZIP 93109 has risen 8.8% over the past year.

How does ZIP 93109 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 93109 is one of the pricier among California ZIP codes for rent, ranking #39 of 898 at $4,915/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 93109 changed +8.8%, against a typical +3.2% across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks.