Cost of Living in Santa Barbara
Summary of cost of living in Santa Barbara, CA, United States:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 5,583.6$, excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 1,529.9$, excluding rent.
- Santa Barbara is 15.0% more expensive than Los Angeles (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Santa Barbara is, on average, 2.1% higher than in Los Angeles.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 30.00 $ | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 100.00 $ | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 15.00 $ | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 9.00 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 10.00 $ | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 6.17 $ | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 3.12 $ | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 2.42 $ | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 1.37 $ | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 3.75 $ | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 3.00 $ | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 5.12 $ | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 10.50 $ | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 7.13 $ | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 11.75 $ | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 3.33 $ | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 1.50 $ | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 1.49 $ | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 4.66 $ | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 3.89 $ | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 1.58 $ | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 3.33 $ | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 2.75 $ | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 17.00 $ | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 2.24 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 4.50 $ | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 11.71 $ | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 2.50 $ | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 52.00 $ | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 2.90 $ | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 4.00 $ | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 60.00 $ | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 1.24 $ | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 36,998.00 $ | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 25,665.42 $ | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 249.37 $ | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 91.00 $ | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 71.00 $ | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 66.50 $ | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 20.00 $ | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 13.00 $ | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 1,425.00 $ | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 37,000.00 $ | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 76.67 $ | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 46.33 $ | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 95.00 $ | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 143.33 $ | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 2,806.15 $ | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 2,560.00 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 5,020.00 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 4,200.00 $ | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 935.99 $ | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 935.99 $ | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 5,099.64 $ | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 6.37 | |
Prices in Santa Barbara, California
This city had 168 entries in the past 12 months by 15 different contributors.
Last update: 3 December 2025
Last update: 3 December 2025
Sources and References
Moving to Santa Barbara, CA? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Ojai, California | 33.39 miles |
| Cost of Living in Ventura, California | 33.57 miles |
| Cost of Living in Oxnard, California | 37.71 miles |
| Cost of Living in Lompoc, California | 54.19 miles |
| Cost of Living in Thousand Oaks, California | 56.27 miles |
| Cost of Living in Agoura Hills, California | 61.38 miles |
| Cost of Living in Simi Valley, California | 63.66 miles |
| Cost of Living in Santa Maria, California | 63.75 miles |
| Cost of Living in Santa Clarita, California | 80.79 miles |
| Cost of Living in Pacific Palisades, California | 85.14 miles |
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