Call it by the nickname, “The American Riviera,” Santa Barbara has become a destination for many people moving to Southern California. With its picturesque nature views, stellar food scene, and endless ways to spend your time, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that close to 88,300 people are living in Santa Barbara.
As more people are looking to buy a home in Santa Barbara, it’s important to keep in mind that the median home sale price is $1,760,000, and the average sale price per square foot is $1,150. For renters, the average rent price for a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Barbara is $3,900.
But if you’re looking to live near Santa Barbara and not in the city, we’ve got you covered. We’ve rounded up a list of the 3 best Santa Barbara suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 15-minute drive from the city. Let’s check out the suburbs that made the list.
#1: Goleta
Median home price: 1,297,500
Average sale price per square foot: $682
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $4,750
Driving distance from Santa Barbara: 15 minutes
Goleta, CA homes for sale
Goleta, CA apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $1,297,500, Goleta is first on our list of Santa Barbara suburbs. About a 15-minute drive away from downtown Santa Barbara, Goleta is home to roughly 32,700 residents. Living in Goleta, you can spend the day exploring the Goleta Monarch Butterfly Grove, taking a walk through Lake Los Carneros Park, and enjoying the ocean views along the Ellwood Mesa Coastal Trail.
#2: Carpinteria
Median home price: $1,392,500
Average sale price per square foot: $965
Driving distance from Santa Barbara: 15 minutes
Carpinteria, CA homes for sale
Carpinteria, CA apartments for rent
Taking the second spot on our list is Carpinteria. The same distance from Santa Barbara as Goleta, you can check out the shops in Lower State or spend the day at East Beach in no time. Make sure to explore Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve where you’ll find a seal sanctuary, ocean views, a walking trail, and beach. When living in this suburb of 13,300 people, you can also spend the day checking out the downtown for a coffee or fresh seafood lunch.
#3: Montecito
Median home price: $5,127,500
Average sale price per square foot: $1,801
Driving distance from Santa Barbara: 10 minutes
Montecito, CA homes for sale
Montecito, CA apartments for rent
The third suburb on our list is Montecito, with a median home sale price of $5,127,500 and only a 10-minute drive from the heart of Santa Barbara. There’s plenty of charming and outdoorsy activities to take part in when living in Montecito. If you find yourself moving to this area make sure to check out the Lotusland botanical garden, hike along Hot Springs Canyon Trailhead, or spend the day at Butterfly Beach.
Methodology: Whether a suburb was under a 15-minute drive from downtown Santa Barbara. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during March 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com March 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
