Santa Barbara, CA
Demographics And Statistics

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-25

Living In Santa Barbara, California Summary

Life in Santa Barbara research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Santa Barbara over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Santa Barbara:

  • The population in Santa Barbara is 88,024.

  • The median home value in Santa Barbara is $1,781,413.

  • The median income in Santa Barbara is $101,672.

  • The cost of living in Santa Barbara is 223 which is 2.2x higher than the national average.

  • The median rent in Santa Barbara is $2,302.

  • The unemployment rate in Santa Barbara is 4.7%.

  • The poverty rate in Santa Barbara is 13.1%.

  • The average high in Santa Barbara is 69.8° and the average low is 48.8°.

Santa Barbara SnackAbility

8
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
8.5/10
Housing
10
Affordability
3
Diversity
9
Safety
5
Amenities
9.5
Education
8
Commute
9

Santa Barbara, CA Crime Report

Crime in Santa Barbara summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Santa Barbara. Key points include:

  • There were 2,108 total crimes in Santa Barbara in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Santa Barbara is 2,458.1 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Santa Barbara is 648.3 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Santa Barbara is 1,809.7 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Santa Barbara is 15.99% above the national average.

2,108
Total Crimes
15.99%
Above National Average

Crime In Santa Barbara Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Santa Barbara
/ 100k People
California
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 2,108 2,458.1 2,564.5 2,119.2
Violent Crime 556 648.3 486.0 359.0
Murder 0 0.0 4.5 5.0
Robbery 64 74.6 119.1 61.0
Aggravated Assault 421 490.9 325.8 256.0
Property Crime 1,552 1,809.7 2,078.4 1,760.0
Burglary 146 170.2 305.8 229.0
Larceny 1,236 1,441.3 1,345.2 1,272.0
Car Theft 170 198.2 427.5 259.0

Santa Barbara, CA Cost Of Living

Cost of living in Santa Barbara summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Santa Barbara. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around California. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Santa Barbara is 223 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Santa Barbara is 2.2x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in Santa Barbara is $1,781,413.

  • The median income in Santa Barbara is $101,672.

223
Santa Barbara's Overall Cost Of Living
2.2x
Higher Than The National Average

Cost Of Living In Santa Barbara Comparison Table

Living Expense Santa Barbara California National Average
Overall 223 141 100
Services 107 110 100
Groceries 107 112 100
Health 94 110 100
Housing 471 195 100
Transportation 126 125 100
Utilities 157 128 100

Santa Barbara, CA Weather

  • The average high in Santa Barbara is 69.8° and the average low is 48.8°.

  • There are 27.0 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 18.1 inches of precipitation each year with 0.0 inches of snow.

StatSanta Barbara
Average Annual High69.8
Average Annual Low48.8
Annual Precipitation Days27.0
Average Annual Precipitation18.1
Average Annual Snowfall0.0
69.8°
Average High
27.0
Days of Rain

Santa Barbara, CA Photos

Santa Barbara Harbor Fishermen
Source: Wikipedia User Caroline Culler (User:Wgr | CC BY-SA 4.0
Lower State St Santa Barbara
Source: Wikipedia User Adbar | CC BY-SA 3.0
Santa Barbara Harbor
Source: Wikipedia User Caroline Culler (User:Wgr | CC BY-SA 4.0
Santa Barbara Downtown Shopping Center
Source: Wikipedia User Caroline Culler (User:Wgr | CC BY-SA 4.0
Santa Barbara Pier Photo D Ramey Logan
Source: Wikipedia | CC BY-SA 3.0
Casa De La Guerra Right Side
Source: Wikipedia User Ymblanter | CC BY-SA 3.0
Sbbotanicgarden
Source: Public Domain
Sb Missionparkacpostelrosegarden
Source: Wikipedia User Niranjan Arminius | CC BY-SA 2.0
Ucsbuniversitycenterandstorketower
Source: Wikipedia User Coolcaesar at English Wik | GFDL

1 Reviews & Comments About Santa Barbara

Overall User Rating
5.0
/5

HomeSnacks User - 2018-07-14 01:19:57.346089

You haven't lived until you've lived in Santa Barbara. The beach is minutes from everything, people are diverse and friendly, and the food options are numerous. This is a great place to live or visit and to raise a family.

Home prices are through the roof, but that is the same all over the state. One of our favorite activities is the art walk which takes place on the beach each weekend. Locals sell goods all along the pathway, it's a great experience to shop at.

Review Where You Live

Rankings for Santa Barbara in California

Locations Around Santa Barbara

Map Of Santa Barbara, CA

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Santa Barbara Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Santa Barbara

The current population in Santa Barbara is 88,024. The population has increased 0.2% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2023 88,024 -0.7%
2022 88,640 -0.6%
2021 89,132 -2.0%
2020 90,911 -0.5%
2019 91,376 0.1%
2018 91,325 -0.1%
2017 91,443 0.6%
2016 90,922 0.6%
2015 90,401 0.8%
2014 89,669 0.7%
2013 89,062 0.6%
2012 88,572 0.4%
2011 88,192 0.4%
2010 87,859 -

Race / Ethnicity in Santa Barbara

White
53.4% (47,043)
African American
1.2% (1,092)
American Indian
0.2% (210)
Asian
3.7% (3,225)
Hawaiian
0.1% (104)
Other
0.9% (811)
Two Or More
3.6% (3,156)
Hispanic
36.8% (32,383)

Santa Barbara is:

  • 53.4% White with 47,043 White residents.

  • 1.2% African American with 1,092 African American residents.

  • 0.2% American Indian with 210 American Indian residents.

  • 3.7% Asian with 3,225 Asian residents.

  • 0.1% Hawaiian with 104 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.9% Other with 811 Other residents.

  • 3.6% Two Or More with 3,156 Two Or More residents.

  • 36.8% Hispanic with 32,383 Hispanic residents.

Race Santa Barbara CA USA
White 53.4% 34.6% 58.2%
African American 1.2% 5.3% 12.0%
American Indian 0.2% 0.3% 0.5%
Asian 3.7% 15.1% 5.7%
Hawaiian 0.1% 0.3% 0.2%
Other 0.9% 0.5% 0.5%
Two Or More 3.6% 4.1% 3.9%
Hispanic 36.8% 39.8% 19.0%

Gender in Santa Barbara

Female
51.1% (45,010)
Male
48.9% (43,014)
  • Santa Barbara is 51.1% female with 45,010 female residents.

  • Santa Barbara is 48.9% male with 43,014 male residents.

Gender Santa Barbara CA USA
Female 51.1% 50.0% 50.5%
Male 48.9% 50.0% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Santa Barbara for adults over 25

  • 6.0% of adults in Santa Barbara completed < 9th grade.

  • 4.0% of adults in Santa Barbara completed 9-12th grade.

  • 12.0% of adults in Santa Barbara completed high school / ged.

  • 19.0% of adults in Santa Barbara completed some college.

  • 8.0% of adults in Santa Barbara completed associate's degree.

  • 30.0% of adults in Santa Barbara completed bachelor's degree.

  • 12.0% of adults in Santa Barbara completed master's degree.

  • 5.0% of adults in Santa Barbara completed professional degree.

  • 4.0% of adults in Santa Barbara completed doctorate degree.

< 9th Grade
6.0% (5,281)
9-12th Grade
4.0% (3,520)
High School / GED
12.0% (10,562)
Some College
19.0% (16,724)
Associate's Degree
8.0% (7,041)
Bachelor's Degree
30.0% (26,407)
Master's Degree
12.0% (10,562)
Professional Degree
5.0% (4,401)
Doctorate Degree
4.0% (3,520)
Education Santa Barbara CA USA
< 9th Grade 6.0% 8.0% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 4.0% 7.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 12.0% 20.0% 26.0%
Some College 19.0% 20.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 8.0% 8.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 30.0% 22.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 12.0% 10.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 5.0% 3.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 4.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Santa Barbara, California

  • 5.1% of households in Santa Barbara earn Less than $10,000.

  • 3.0% of households in Santa Barbara earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 4.4% of households in Santa Barbara earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 4.5% of households in Santa Barbara earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 8.9% of households in Santa Barbara earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 12.5% of households in Santa Barbara earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 10.8% of households in Santa Barbara earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 14.7% of households in Santa Barbara earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 12.2% of households in Santa Barbara earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 23.9% of households in Santa Barbara earn $200,000 or more.

Less than $10,000
5.1% (447,836)
$10,000 to $14,999
3.0% (262,019)
$15,000 to $24,999
4.4% (391,345)
$25,000 to $34,999
4.5% (399,999)
$35,000 to $49,999
8.9% (781,490)
$50,000 to $74,999
12.5% (1,097,836)
$75,000 to $99,999
10.8% (946,393)
$100,000 to $149,999
14.7% (1,292,066)
$150,000 to $199,999
12.2% (1,075,961)
$200,000 or more
23.9% (2,107,451)
Income Santa Barbara CA USA
Less than $10,000 5.1% 4.4% 4.9%
$10,000 to $14,999 3.0% 3.0% 3.6%
$15,000 to $24,999 4.4% 5.2% 6.6%
$25,000 to $34,999 4.5% 5.5% 6.8%
$35,000 to $49,999 8.9% 8.4% 10.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 12.5% 13.3% 15.7%
$75,000 to $99,999 10.8% 11.8% 12.7%
$100,000 to $149,999 14.7% 17.9% 17.4%
$150,000 to $199,999 12.2% 11.1% 9.3%
$200,000 or more 23.9% 19.4% 12.6%

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