Santa Barbara
California

What stands out

Three things set Santa Barbara County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the median home price is among the priciest in America ($1M), the typical two-bedroom rent is among the highest in America ($1,991 a month), and the home price against local income is among the most stretched in America (6.8 years of income). Within California it ranks 8th of 58 counties for the median home price.

Where you are

You live in Santa Barbara County, California. 445,213 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -6,246).

California's 13.3% top income-tax rate applies only to income above roughly $1 million, and Proposition 13 caps property-tax growth at 2% a year for as long as you own the home, so long-time owners pay far less than new buyers on identical houses. Wildfire risk now drives insurance availability in much of the state, and several major carriers have stopped writing new homeowner policies.

Money

The typical household here brings in $92,332 a year, higher than 94% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $69,664. Unemployment runs 3.5%, higher than 54% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home.

California takes 5.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $5,026 a year.

Home

The median home costs $1M, pricier than almost every county in America, about 6.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,991 a month. Property tax is 0.65% of home value, roughly $4,669 a year on that median home, lower than 71% of American counties. 53% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 65% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 21 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 81.0 years, longer than 95% of American counties. There are 1,285 active physicians in the county, about 28.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.2 of 5 stars. 8.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.65 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 90% of American counties. 82% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 22 points. 71% of eligible voters turned out. Under California law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 60°F, highs near 71 and lows near 48, warmer than 66% of American counties. About 25 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 99 out of 100, riskier than almost every county in America; the county has had 43 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 261 Mbps down, faster than 79% of American counties. There are 9 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 21 breweries, 31 museums, 1 National Park Service site.