Why Live in Downtown Santa Barbara
Downtown Santa Barbara, located along Interstate 101 and near the beach, is the city's arts and culture hub, featuring Spanish Colonial architecture and historic sites like El Presidio Park. Housing options include apartment condos, Spanish Revival townhouses, and single-family bungalows, attracting a mix of tech workers, longtime residents, and part-time vacationers. The area is known for its cultural attractions, including the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the Arlington Theatre, which hosts films, comedy acts, and concerts. Green spaces such as the Santa Barbara County Courthouse gardens, Alameda Park, and Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden offer tranquil retreats. West Beach, just a few blocks away, provides opportunities for kayaking and paddleboarding. State Street, the main promenade, is lined with boutiques, theaters, restaurants, and hotels, while Paseo Nuevo offers outdoor mall shopping and dining. The neighborhood also features various dining options, including the Habit Burger Grill and Loquita Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara Unified serves the area, with highly rated schools like Roosevelt Elementary, Santa Barbara Junior High, and Santa Barbara Senior High. The neighborhood is highly walkable, with public transportation options and easy access to Interstate 101. The airport and UC Santa Barbara are approximately 10 miles west of downtown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downtown Santa Barbara a good place to live?
Downtown Santa Barbara is a good place to live. Downtown Santa Barbara is considered very walkable and a biker's paradise with good transit options. Downtown Santa Barbara has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is fairly sparse in population with 4.9 people per acre and a median age of 39. The average household income is $86,658 which is below the national average. College graduates make up 52.1% of residents. A majority of residents in Downtown Santa Barbara are renters, with 89% of residents renting and 11% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Downtown Santa Barbara can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Downtown Santa Barbara neighborhood guide.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Downtown Santa Barbara?
The median home price in Downtown Santa Barbara is $430,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $86,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.72%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $2,220 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $95K a year to afford the median home price in Downtown Santa Barbara. The average household income in Downtown Santa Barbara is $87K.
What are the best public schools in Downtown Santa Barbara?
The best public schools that serve Downtown Santa Barbara are:
What are the best private schools in Downtown Santa Barbara?
The best private schools that serve Downtown Santa Barbara are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Downtown Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Downtown Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA?
Home Trends in Downtown Santa Barbara, CA
On average, homes in Downtown Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara sell after 46 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara over the last 12 months is $430,000.
Median Sale Price
$430,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$430,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$226
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median List Price
$430,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%