Montecito, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Montecito is a small city in California with a population of 8,823. Residents earn $222,966 per year, which is 197% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
8,823 Population 961/sq mi density
$222,966 Median Income $132,404 per capita
$2,000,001 Home Value $5,327,075 Zillow
$3,501 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$222,966 median income, 1.9% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.6 / 5.0
$2,000,001 home value, $3,501/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
74.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $222,966
197% higher than US avg
Home Value $2,000,001
609% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 74.9%
122% higher than US avg
Median Rent $3,501
201% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 22.6%
30% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.5%
40% lower than US avg

How Montecito Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population8,823
Median Age51.8 yrs
Density961/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 83%

Economy

A+
Median Income$222,966
Per Capita$132,404
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty7.5%
County GDP$69,606M
Commute18 min

Housing

D
Home Value$2,000,001
Rent$3,501
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$5,327,075

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity22.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.0%
Heart Disease4.0%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain19.0 in/yr
Elevation24 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+74.9%
High School+98.3%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 41% / D 56%
Commute18 min
EV Stations2
Libraries24

Is Montecito a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Montecito receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Montecito offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Montecito is $222,966, which is significantly higher than the national average — 197% above $75,149. This places Montecito among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. Only 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Montecito is $2,000,001, making it a premium housing market at 609% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $3,501 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Montecito is a highly educated community — 74.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Montecito enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 19.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Montecito has a population of 8,823 with a density of 961 people per square mile. The median age is 51.8 years, 33% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.2%), with 1.6% Hispanic.

Population

8,823
Total Population
961
People / sq mi
51.8yrs
Median Age
33% above US avg
9.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.4%
Female 55.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Montecito vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only85.3%
9% above US avg
Spanish14.7%
10% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Montecito vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Montecito is $222,966, which is 197% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Montecito vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$222,966
197% above US avg
Per Capita Income$132,404
Avg Weekly Wage$1,356
IRS Avg AGI$102,674

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.5%
40% below US avg
Establishments (County)31,435
County GDP$69,606M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,758
Healthcare3,115
Retail2,556
Manufacturing867

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,383
140% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.42%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.3 min
Work from Home29.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Montecito is $2,000,001, 609% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $3,501 (201% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $5,327,075.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$2,000,001
609% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$5,327,075
Median List Price$6,224,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$6,224,500
$/Sq Ft$2,174
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio96.2%
Price Drops16.3%
Inventory49

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$3,501
201% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$13,375

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,383
140% above US avg
Effective Rate0.42%
In Montecito, 22.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 24.0% report depression. 13.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Montecito vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity22.6%
30% below US avg
Diabetes6.5%
Heart Disease4.0%
High Blood Pressure25.3%
Asthma10.1%
COPD3.7%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.0%
Physical Inactivity13.9%
Depression24.0%
Mental Distress16.0%
Physical Distress10.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.6%
Checkup Rate71.6%
Premature Death5,626/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access97.7%
Healthcare Facilities3,115

Crime Rates: Montecito vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)51
FEMA Disasters637

Safety Score

Montecito has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 19.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average62.5°F
16% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall19.0 inches
50% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation24 ft (7 m)
Area9.2 sq mi (23.8 km²)
Population Density961/sq mi
Coordinates34.4186°N, 119.6331°W
County FIPS06111
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 74.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (122% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 15.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 41%
D 56.1%

Winner: Democrat by 15.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+74.9%
122% above US avg
High School+98.3%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density961/sq mi
Total Area9.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries24
Healthcare Facilities3,115
Restaurants1,758
Retail Stores2,556

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)51
FEMA Disaster Declarations637

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.3 min
Work from Home29.9%

Nearby Cities

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