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City · 9,031 residents · Santa Barbara County, California

Montecito , California

In Montecito, a typical home is worth $2,000,001 and typical rent is $3,501 a month. Compared with all of Santa Barbara County, the typical home value is 153% higher, typical household income is 135% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 23 points higher.

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  • Typical home value

    $2,000,001

    153% above the county

    172% above California

    • Montecito
    • Santa Barbara
    • California

  • Typical rent

    $3,501a month

    64% above the county

    72% above California

    • Montecito
    • Santa Barbara
    • California

  • Typical household income

    $231,005a year

    135% above the county

    133% above California

    • Montecito
    • Santa Barbara
    • California

  • Households that own their home

    76%

    23 points above the county

    20 points above California

    • Montecito
    • Santa Barbara
    • California

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$5,676,750
13% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$18,039 a month

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Montecito is in Santa Barbara County. The FHA loan limit ($941,850 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Santa Barbara County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Montecito apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Montecito has the highest typical rent of the 648 cities in California with more than 5,000 people: $3,501.

  2. Montecito has the highest typical home value of the 654 cities in California with more than 5,000 people: $2,000,001.

  3. The typical household income in Montecito is $231,005, 135% more than in Santa Barbara County as a whole ($98,161).

  4. Nearby, in University of California-Santa Barbara, the typical home value is $452,900: 77% less than in Montecito ($2,000,001).

  5. Nearby, in University of California-Santa Barbara, the typical rent is $1,526: 56% less than in Montecito ($3,501).

  6. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Montecito rose 13%; in California, it rose 0.6%.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data

The homes here

Housing in Montecito

What homes there are in Montecito, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Detached houses, standing on their own, make up 76% of homes here, against 56% in Santa Barbara County.

Year built

In Montecito, half of the homes were built before 1969; in Santa Barbara County, before 1974.

There is more room for a big family here: 70% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, against 55% in Santa Barbara County.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

Owners with a mortgage

50%

Santa Barbara County: 63%

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The boundaries of Montecito changed since 2015–2019, so the Census does not compare its figures from then and now. In Santa Barbara County, the typical home value rose 37%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureMontecitoSanta Barbara CountyCaliforniaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate3.3%4.2%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.6%0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate9.7%8.2%3.4%
People per household 2.302.812.842.53
Drive alone 48%65%66%69%
Carpool Unreliable estimate12%10%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate2%3%3%
Walk or bike 10%6%3%3%
Work from home 34%13%17%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate2%2%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutes10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Households in Montecito are smaller: 2.30 people on average; in Santa Barbara County, 2.81.

In Montecito, 34% of workers work from home, more than in Santa Barbara County (13%).

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Montecito?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Montecito, worth $2,000,001, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 84% of the typical household income in Montecito, which is $231,005 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $693,267 a year. Note: at that price the loan is above the FHA limit for Santa Barbara County ($941,850), so FHA would not insure it; the payment is only a reference.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Santa Barbara County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Montecito. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $70,000 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This loan usually requires at least 3.5% down.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$16,176

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$1,963,776
Total interest
$2,825,413
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $33,775 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $5,390 a month

  • Tight

    $5,390 to $6,930 a month

  • Hard

    more than $6,930 a month

    Your payment · 84%

Compared with the typical household income in Montecito ($231,005 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$16,176
Principal & interest$13,303
Property tax$833
Home insurance$833
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$1,206

This loan is over the FHA limit

You'd borrow $1,930,001, but the FHA limit for a one-unit home in Montecito is $941,850. You'd need a bigger down payment or a different loan.

You need at least $70,000 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Montecito and Santa Barbara County

Montecito is in Santa Barbara County, California. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Montecito's own numbers

Typical home value
$2,000,001
Typical monthly rent
$3,501
Typical yearly household income
$231,005
Households that own their home
76%
Effective property tax rate
0.5%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Santa Barbara County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$941,850
Conventional limit, one unit
$941,850
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$3,106
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+56%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
3.6%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Santa Barbara County.

Everything about Santa Barbara County

Buying

Buying a home in Montecito

A typical home in Montecito is worth $2,000,001: 153% above the county and 172% above California. With the typical household income in Montecito ($231,005 a year), a typical home costs 8.7 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Montecito 8.7 years
  • Santa Barbara 8.1 years
  • California 7.4 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Santa Barbara County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Santa Barbara County rose 88% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Santa Barbara County.

Period County California U.S.
Last year (2025) +3.3% +0.8% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +56% +40% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +88% +80% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Montecito next to Santa Barbara County, California and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Montecito $2,000,001
  • Santa Barbara $790,700
  • California $734,700
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Montecito $3,501
  • Santa Barbara $2,131
  • California $2,036
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Montecito $231,005
  • Santa Barbara $98,161
  • California $99,122
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Montecito next to Santa Barbara County and California
Measure Montecito Santa Barbara County California U.S.
Typical home value $2,000,001 $790,700 $734,700 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $3,501 $2,131 $2,036 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $231,005 $98,161 $99,122 $80,734
Households that own their home 76% 52% 56% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $10,001 $5,103 $5,124 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.5% 0.65% 0.7% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 53% 58% 55% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Santa Barbara County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Montecito

For a typical $2,000,001 home in Montecito, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Montecito's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $16,176a month

    Above the FHA limit for Santa Barbara County ($941,850)
    Down payment
    $70,000
    Cash to close
    $130,000
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $1,206

  • Conventional, 5% down $15,488a month

    Above the conventional limit for Santa Barbara County ($941,850): it would be a "jumbo" loan
    Down payment
    $100,000
    Cash to close
    $160,000
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $950

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $12,506a month

    Above the conventional limit for Santa Barbara County ($941,850): it would be a "jumbo" loan
    Down payment
    $400,000
    Cash to close
    $460,000
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $14,355a month

    Down payment
    $300,000
    Cash to close
    $360,000
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None
  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Montecito and for Santa Barbara County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Montecito

0.5%of the home’s value each year

$10,001 a year for the typical owner in Montecito.

  • Montecito 0.5%
  • Santa Barbara 0.65%
  • California 0.7%

What California publishes Homeowners' exemption (California State Board of Equalization (BOE))

Exemptions and deadlines in California

Flood risk in Santa Barbara County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Santa Barbara County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
3.6%
4,422
Of those, with NFIP insurance
27%
County California U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 3.6% 2.8% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 27% 31% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Montecito

Typical rent in Montecito is $3,501 a month: 64% above the county. In Montecito, 53% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Santa Barbara County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($3,106 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $59.73 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Santa Barbara County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $2,479 $47.67 $99,160
1 bedroom $2,711 $52.13 $108,440
2 bedrooms $3,106 $59.73 $124,240
3 bedrooms $3,990 $76.73 $159,600
4 bedrooms $4,557 $87.63 $182,280

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Montecito

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Montecito is in ZIP code 93108.

For 2 bedrooms it is $3,690: $584 more than the fair market rent for Santa Barbara County ($3,106).

  • 93108 $3,690$4,870

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Montecito when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Montecito

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Santa Barbara County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A grandmother pushes her grandson on a playground swing.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Montecito

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Montecito or Santa Barbara County. The ones below are statewide in California: they work in Montecito the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in California

  • MyHome Assistance Program

    Statewide in California

    CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers in California. Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

  • California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan

    Statewide in California

    Closed, per the source

    CalHFA down payment loan for first-generation buyers in California; when you sell, you repay the loan plus a share of the home's appreciation. Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).

    Shared appreciation

    See the program Official page

  • MyAccess Program

    Statewide in California

    CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers who use the CalPLUS Access mortgage (FHA or conventional). Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Montecito

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Montecito, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • My Way Home

    2231 Sturgis Rd Unit A, Oxnard · 31 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 9 more
    (805) 273-7800

  • Centro Familia Esperanza

    1720 E Los Angeles Ave Ste 216, Simi Valley · 51 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 4 more
    (805) 813-8751

  • Money Management International, Los Angeles

    6080 Center Dr Fl 6, Los Angeles · 77 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 4 more
    (866) 232-9080

All counseling agencies in California

Help in Spanish near Montecito

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Montecito

HUD’s record names them for Montecito or Santa Barbara County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (805) 736-3423

One other authority has an office in Santa Barbara County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Santa Barbara County

These cities are also in Santa Barbara County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Santa Barbara County Housing in California
See 1 more city in Santa Barbara County, with its price and rent

Every city has its own page with prices, rents and help.

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Montecito, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Santa Barbara County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Montecito.

All guides
A mother holds hands with her two daughters on the beach at sunset.

Questions

Housing questions about Montecito

Short answers with the numbers for Montecito and all of Santa Barbara County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Montecito?

The typical home value in Montecito is $2,000,001, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Santa Barbara County it is $790,700.

How much does it cost to rent in Montecito?

Typical rent in Montecito is $3,501 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Santa Barbara County is $3,106.

What is the FHA loan limit in Montecito?

Montecito uses the FHA limit for all of Santa Barbara County (2026): $941,850 for a one-unit home and $1,811,300 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Montecito?

The typical homeowner in Montecito pays $10,001 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.5% of the home’s value; in Santa Barbara County, the rate is 0.65%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Montecito?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Santa Barbara County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).