Cost of Living in Santa Barbara, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,276 (excluding rent), and $3,666 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,764 (excluding rent), and $7,612 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.67 $24.67

$15.79 $15.79

$49.34 $49.34

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$75.5 $75.5

$201 $201

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.9 $9.9

$14.85 $14.85

Cappuccino

$5.53 $5.53

$3.99 $3.99

$7.98 $7.98

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74 $2.74

$2.05 $2.05

$3.84 $3.84

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.11 $2.11

$2.02 $2.02

$3.04 $3.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.19 $8.19

$5.12 $5.12

$11.27 $11.27

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.67 $8.67

$6.86 $6.86

$11.76 $11.76

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.93 $0.93

$1.82 $1.82

White Bread (500g)

$4.94 $4.94

$2.18 $2.18

$6.59 $6.59

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.63 $4.63

$1.95 $1.95

$10.87 $10.87

Eggs

$5.33 $5.33

$2.92 $2.92

$6.84 $6.84

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.36 $12.36

$5.23 $5.23

$26.26 $26.26

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.68 $11.68

$4.45 $4.45

$29.93 $29.93

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.39 $14.39

$8.71 $8.71

$54.5 $54.5

Apples (1kg)

$6.28 $6.28

$3.67 $3.67

$12.98 $12.98

Banana (1kg)

$1.87 $1.87

$1.51 $1.51

$5.47 $5.47

Oranges (1kg)

$3.75 $3.75

$1.9 $1.9

$10.71 $10.71

Tomato (1kg)

$5.47 $5.47

$2.2 $2.2

$13.26 $13.26

Potato (1kg)

$3.21 $3.21

$1.74 $1.74

$10.9 $10.9

Onion (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$1.59 $1.59

$8.62 $8.62

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.07 $2.07

$1.46 $1.46

$4.89 $4.89

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.07 $2.07

$1.41 $1.41

$4.03 $4.03

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.97 $12.97

$10.71 $10.71

$15.03 $15.03

Wine (Bottle)

$15.27 $15.27

$10.17 $10.17

$45.8 $45.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$4.41 $4.41

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.07 $4.07

$2.03 $2.03

$6.09 $6.09

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.86 $1.86

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63.1 $63.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.03 $6.03

$3.02 $3.02

$9.03 $9.03

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2 $2

$4.25 $4.25

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$50.4 $50.4

$31.6 $31.6

$69.1 $69.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 $1.29

$1.18 $1.18

$1.49 $1.49

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28.3K $28.3K

$23.8K $23.8K

$36.5K $36.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.3K $25.3K

$25.1K $25.1K

$26.7K $26.7K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$199 $199

$149 $149

$538 $538

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$54.5 $54.5

$43.16 $43.16

$100 $100

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.3 $71.3

$64.1 $64.1

$98.6 $98.6

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$65.3 $65.3

$24.55 $24.55

$128 $128

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.94 $17.94

Cinema Ticket

$12.31 $12.31

$11.82 $11.82

$14.96 $14.96

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,431 $1,431

$1,004 $1,004

$1,958 $1,958

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$36.8K $36.8K

$29.8K $29.8K

$42.5K $42.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.8 $69.8

$25.3 $25.3

$90.1 $90.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$41.06 $41.06

$15.11 $15.11

$60.5 $60.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$76.2 $76.2

$59.4 $59.4

$124 $124

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$101 $101

$253 $253

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,471 $2,471

$2,965 $2,965

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,274 $2,274

$1,992 $1,992

$2,689 $2,689

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$5,277 $5,277

$4,075 $4,075

$6,112 $6,112

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,400 $4,400

$3,717 $3,717

$6,027 $6,027

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.1K $10.1K

$9,785 $9,785

$13.1K $13.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$9,798 $9,798

$9,485 $9,485

$10.6K $10.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,133 $5,133

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.68

6.19

7.7

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: December 2, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Santa Barbara, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Barbara offers a high quality of life with easy access to beaches, restaurants, and cultural events, but affordability leans toward the premium side. Housing near the coast or in popular neighborhoods can push costs up, while options farther inland or in Goleta may feel more doable. Dining, groceries, and utilities follow the same coast-driven pattern: you will pay more for fresh seafood and cafe culture, yet you can balance by cooking at home and shopping at local markets. Cost of Living in Santa Barbara, CA, United States shapes decisions for longer stays or remote work. Tip: plan around shoulder seasons to save on lodging and enjoy quieter neighborhoods.

Finding a place to live can be straightforward if you know the neighborhood texture. The Downtown and The Mesa offer walkability and quick access to services but come with tighter spaces and higher rents; Goleta or higher-inland pockets often present more breathing room. Food-wise, you will find farmers markets, seafood markets, and diverse eateries, with plenty of casual spots for quick meals and longer cooking sessions at home. For getting around, many people mix car, bike, and bus options; parking can be tight near the coast. Santa Barbara, CA living cost influences your daily budget and where you choose to work. Tip: try co-working spaces with day passes to test fits before committing.

Quality of life in Santa Barbara blends easy outdoor access with a calm pace, but you will pay a premium for sea views and sunshine. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate housing, utilities, groceries, and leisure, and watch for seasonality in lodging and activities. Neighborhood fit matters: the Downtown core is lively but compact; The Mesa and West Beach feel relaxed with greater spacing, while Goleta offers quieter residential vibes and school districts. Save by shopping at farmers markets, cooking at home, using public transit or bikes, and choosing free or low-cost outdoor activities. Tip: align your routine with sea breezes and off-peak times to stretch your budget.