Cost of Living in University of California-Santa Barbara, CA
Cost indexes, living wages, and fair market rents — 2024 Data
Cost of Living Overview
Overall Index
135.5
100 = national avg
+35.5 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$59,624
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$140,930
per year
Cost Index by Category
Housing192.5
Food107.3
Transportation79.6
Healthcare105.9
Utilities122.9
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD1 Bedroom
$2,746
per month
2 Bedroom
$3,124
per month
The overall cost of living index in University of California-Santa Barbara is 135.5, which is 35.5% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 192.5. A single adult needs to earn approximately $59,624 per year to cover basic expenses.