Moving to
Santa Barbara.

$2,413/mo median rent

Rent is expensive here, at $2,413 a month median and well above the national average. This is the kind of city where housing costs deserve serious budgeting before committing to a move. Home prices are steep, with a median around $1,570,800. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.

3.4% unemployment

Unemployment here is 3.4%, a little below the national average of 4.3%.

634 violent crimes per 100k

Crime is a real factor here, with violent rates significantly above the national average. That doesn't make the whole city a write-off, but it does mean specific neighborhoods deserve real research before signing a lease.

17 min average commute

Commutes run short here, averaging 17.3 minutes. That's an underrated perk of living in a smaller or well-planned city, where time isn't lost sitting in traffic. 7 in 10 workers drive to work; 19% work from home.

1 hospital

There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 4.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.

52% bachelor's degree or higher

This is a highly educated city, with over half the adult population holding a college degree. That tends to shape the job market and the broader culture, and it's a solid indicator of a strong professional scene.

22 public schools inside the boundary

There are 22 public schools inside the boundary and 10 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 19:1, slightly above the national average of 16:1.

The nearest national park or historic site is Channel Islands National Park (31 miles away). There are 3 national parks and sites within a day's drive.