University of California-Santa Barbara, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

University of California-Santa Barbara is a small city in California with a population of 11,634. Residents earn $75,000 per year, which is 0% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
11,634 Population 8,949/sq mi density
$75,000 Median Income $17,452 per capita
$452,600 Home Value
$1,512 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$75,000 median income, 6.7% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.3 / 5.0
$452,600 home value, $1,512/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
76.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $75,000
0% lower than US avg
Home Value $452,600
61% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 76.5%
127% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,512
30% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.1%
25% lower than US avg
Unemployment 6.7%
86% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.5%
72% lower than US avg

How University of California-Santa Barbara Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population11,634
Median Age19.9 yrs
Density8,949/mi²
Male / Female48% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 48%

Economy

B+
Median Income$75,000
Per Capita$17,452
Unemployment6.7%
Poverty3.5%
County GDP$69,606M
Commute15 min

Housing

B
Home Value$452,600
Rent$1,512
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity24.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.1%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain17.3 in/yr
Elevation50 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+76.5%
High School+97.4%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 41% / D 56%
Commute15 min
Libraries24

Is University of California-Santa Barbara a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, University of California-Santa Barbara receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. University of California-Santa Barbara stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in University of California-Santa Barbara is $75,000, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.7% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in University of California-Santa Barbara is $452,600, making it a premium housing market at 61% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,512 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

University of California-Santa Barbara is a highly educated community — 76.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

University of California-Santa Barbara enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 17.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

University of California-Santa Barbara has a population of 11,634 with a density of 8,949 people per square mile. The median age is 19.9 years, 49% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (47.7%), with 1.4% Black.

Population

11,634
Total Population
8,949
People / sq mi
19.9yrs
Median Age
49% below US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.5%
Female 52.5%

Race & Ethnicity

University of California-Santa Barbara vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only52.0%
34% below US avg
Spanish48.0%
258% above US avg

Social Characteristics

University of California-Santa Barbara vs U.S. Average

The median household income in University of California-Santa Barbara is $75,000, which is 0% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: University of California-Santa Barbara vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$75,000
0% below US avg
Per Capita Income$17,452
Avg Weekly Wage$1,356
IRS Avg AGI$102,674

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.7%
86% above US avg
Poverty Rate3.5%
72% 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 Rate1.85%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.2 min
Work from Home17.7%

Walkability

The median home value in University of California-Santa Barbara is $452,600, 61% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,512 (30% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$452,600
61% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,512
30% above US avg

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-Occupied17.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,383
140% above US avg
Effective Rate1.85%
In University of California-Santa Barbara, 24.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 21.1% report depression. 18.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: University of California-Santa Barbara vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.1%
25% below US avg
Diabetes9.0%
High Blood Pressure28.3%
Asthma9.4%
COPD4.0%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.4%
Physical Inactivity18.9%
Depression21.1%
Mental Distress16.4%
Physical Distress11.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.5%
Checkup Rate71.3%
Premature Death5,626/100K

Food & Exercise

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

Crime Rates: University of California-Santa Barbara vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)51
FEMA Disasters637

Safety Score

University of California-Santa Barbara has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation is 17.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average59.3°F
10% above US avg
January Average53°F (12°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall17.3 inches
55% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation50 ft (15 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²)
Population Density8,949/sq mi
Coordinates34.4178°N, 119.8467°W
County FIPS06111
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 76.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (127% 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+76.5%
127% above US avg
High School+97.4%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density8,949/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries24
Healthcare Facilities3,115
Restaurants1,758
Retail Stores2,556

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)51
FEMA Disaster Declarations637

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.2 min
Work from Home17.7%

Nearby Cities

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