Brokers — List your Company Here
Featured local agent — Santa Barbara, CA
Sarah Mitchell
Compass Real Estate · Santa Barbara, CA
“Your trusted relocation specialist since 2009. 350+ homes sold. Zero-pressure, data-first approach.”
This spot is open. Be the only brokerage featured on this page — one slot, no auction.
Claim this spot* Example only — dummy agent for illustration. Your logo, name, tagline, link, and lead routing replace this content.
Santa Barbara, CA Housing Market & Real Estate
Housing market overview · Updated monthly ·
$1.98Mmedian sale price
How is the Santa Barbara, CA housing market right now?
The median home sale price in Santa Barbara, CA is $1.98M, down 7.5% year-over-year. Homes sell in an average of 40 days with 124 active listings. The market is currently a seller's market. (Source: Redfin monthly MLS data, as of May 2026 — the most recent Redfin release; Redfin publishes each month's data on a ~6-week lag.)
Is Santa Barbara a buyer's or seller's market?
Santa Barbara, CA is currently a seller's market, based on 2.1 months of supply and homes selling in about 40 days. How we determine this →
Homes sold
60
Last 12 weeks
Days on market
40
Average pace
Active listings
124
2.1 months supply
Sale-to-list
98.4%
Below asking
What does the Santa Barbara housing market data show?
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price | $1.98M |
| Median list price | $1.97M |
| Year-over-year price change | -7.5% |
| Average days on market | 40 days |
| Active inventory | 124 listings |
| Months of supply | 2.1 months |
| Sale-to-list price ratio | 98.4% |
| Median price per sq ft | $1,349/sq ft |
| Homes sold (latest month) | 60 |
| New listings (latest month) | 58 |
| Listings with a price cut | 23.4% |
| Market condition | Seller's market |
Source: Redfin · Updated monthly
How much do homes cost in Santa Barbara by property type?
How the Santa Barbara, CA market breaks down across single-family homes, condos, and townhouses.
| Property type | Median price | Price / sq ft | Homes sold | Days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-family | $2.29M | $1,458/sq ft | 44 | 38 days |
| Condo / Co-op | $1.00M | $871/sq ft | 12 | 54 days |
| Townhouse | $1.60M | $1,046/sq ft | 2 | 67 days |
Source: Redfin · Updated monthly
The Santa Barbara housing market is currently classified as a seller's market with a median sale price of $1.98M. Prices have fallen 7.5% compared to last year, with homes spending an average of 40 days on market, indicating 2.1 months of inventory.With limited inventory, homes sell quickly and buyers should be prepared to act decisively and competitively to secure a property.The price-to-income ratio of 18.4x provides context for how home values compare to local earning capacity.
Market trends
Homes for sale in Santa Barbara
There are currently 124 homes listed for sale in Santa Barbara, California. The median listing price is $2.0M.
Active listings
124
Homes on market
Median list price
$2.0M
Avg. days on market
40
Days until sale
New this week
58
Newly listed
Who lives in Santa Barbara?
Population
88,024
Median income
$101,672/yr
Median age
39.4 years
Owner-occupied
39.8%
College grads
50.2%
Avg commute
17.1 min
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
What are homes worth in Santa Barbara?
Zillow home value
$1.87M
Zillow rent index
$4,009/mo
Price-to-rent ratio
38.8x
Price-to-income
18.4x
Source: Zillow Research
What is it like to live in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara is a community of approximately 88K residents with a median age of 39.4 years.The median household income is $101,672, which reflects a relatively affluent area with strong earning potential. 50.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, indicating a highly educated population.
Homeownership rates are at 39.8%, showing a blend of owner and renter-occupied properties. The average commute time is 17.1 minutes, which makes this an excellent choice for those seeking short commutes to employment centers.Overall, Santa Barbara offers a balanced lifestyle with accessible home values relative to local income levels.
Which public schools serve Santa Barbara?
32 schools tracked · 13,653 students
The largest public schools serving Santa Barbara, CA by enrollment, drawn from the National Center for Education Statistics. School quality is a commonly cited factor in home-buying decisions — these are the campuses families in this area are most likely to encounter.
Santa Barbara Senior High
Grades 9-12 · 2,046 students
San Marcos Senior High
Grades 9-12 · 1,943 students
La Colina Junior High
Grades 7-8 · 893 students
Peabody Charter
Grades K-6 · 776 students
Santa Barbara Junior High
Grades 7-8 · 502 students
Adams Elementary
Grades K-6 · 491 students
Washington Elementary
Grades K-6 · 486 students
Roosevelt Elementary
Grades K-6 · 477 students
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data directory. Updated annually. Ratings and test scores are not currently displayed.
Which cities are near Santa Barbara, CA?
Want a head-to-head view? Compare Santa Barbara side-by-side with any other U.S. city using our market-comparison tool.
Is Santa Barbara a good real estate investment market?
For investors evaluating Santa Barbara, the price-to-rent ratio of 38.8x indicates higher purchase prices relative to rental income, typical of appreciation-focused markets. The market has softened 7.5% year-over-year, potentially creating entry opportunities for strategic buyers.Use our rent vs. buy calculator to analyze whether owning or renting makes more financial sense based on Santa Barbara's current market conditions and your specific situation. Estimate your monthly payment with the mortgage calculator using Santa Barbara's median home price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home price in Santa Barbara?
The median home sale price in Santa Barbara is $1.98M, down 7.5% from last year.
How long do homes stay on market in Santa Barbara?
Homes typically spend 40 days on market before going under contract.
What is the median income in Santa Barbara?
The median household income is $101,672 per year.
Is Santa Barbara a buyer's or seller's market?
With 2.1 months of supply, Santa Barbara is currently a seller's market.
What is the Zillow home value estimate for Santa Barbara?
The Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) for Santa Barbara is $1.87M, representing the typical home value in the area.
What is the median condo price in Santa Barbara?
The median condo/co-op sale price in Santa Barbara, CA is $1.00M, compared to $2.29M for a single-family home, based on the latest Redfin data.
How much does a single-family home cost in Santa Barbara?
The median single-family home price in Santa Barbara, CA is $2.29M (about $1,458 per square foot).
Be the brokerage on this page
1 slot per pageGet featured on Santa Barbara, CA
Your logo, brokerage name, and direct link to your site — featured at the top of this page in front of every visitor researching this whole city. One brokerage, no rotation, no bidding war.
- Goes live in 24 hours
- Cancel anytime
- Do-follow backlink to your site
Get Santa Barbara market alerts
Weekly updates on prices, inventory, and trends. Free forever.