Cost to Own
United States › California › Santa Barbara County › University of California-Santa Barbara Population 11,634 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-29
Before you budget for University of California-Santa Barbara FEMA rates natural hazard risk in Santa Barbara County Relatively High, with landslide its highest-ranked hazard against other US counties. It shapes what insurers charge here. See what threatens homes in this county

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in University of California-Santa Barbara, California

A $453,000 home here costs

$3,488

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $149,500 a year.

P&I 71%Tax 10%Insurance 2%Utilities 6%Upkeep 11%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $2,470. The real number is $1,019 higher every month, 41% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Santa Barbara County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

University of California-Santa Barbara median: $452,600
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
CA average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $362,400 borrowed $2,470
Property tax0.936% effective rate for University of California-Santa Barbara itself $353
Homeowners insuranceCalifornia averages $1,403/yr (NAIC), or 0.186% of home value $70
Electricity29.75ยข/kWh, California residential average, EIA $150
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $378
Total monthly $3,488

University of California-Santa Barbara against Santa Barbara County and California

MeasureUniversity of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara County
Median home value$452,600$735,700
Median property tax$4,237$4,870
Effective tax rate0.936%0.662%
Median gross rent$1,512$2,050
Population11,634443,975

The weather behind that power bill

University of California-Santa Barbara sits in Santa Barbara County, which averages a high of 93.2°F in its hottest month and a low of 33.4°F in its coldest, with 21.13" of precipitation a year and 65% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 657 cooling and 2,432 heating degree days, which is what sets the $150 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Santa Barbara County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Santa Barbara County

Full Santa Barbara County cost breakdown · Every county in California

Talk to someone who works this market

These are University of California-Santa Barbara averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works University of California-Santa Barbara every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in University of California-Santa Barbara I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in University of California-Santa Barbara?

A $453,000 home in University of California-Santa Barbara, California costs approximately $3,488 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $2,470 principal and interest, $353 property tax, $70 homeowners insurance, $218 utilities and $378 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in University of California-Santa Barbara?

University of California-Santa Barbara has an effective property tax rate of 0.936%, based on a median home value of $452,600 and median real estate taxes of $4,237. That is higher than the Santa Barbara County average of 0.662%.

What is the average home price in University of California-Santa Barbara?

The median owner-occupied home value in University of California-Santa Barbara, California is $452,600, against $735,700 across Santa Barbara County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in University of California-Santa Barbara?

Median gross rent in University of California-Santa Barbara is $1,512 a month, against $3,488 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in University of California-Santa Barbara?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in University of California-Santa Barbara, California at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $149,500 a year. That covers the full $3,488 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for University of California-Santa Barbara, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for California.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology