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Santa Barbara, California Retirement Guide
established retirement community
40
Retirement Score
Santa Barbara, California at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $1,666,000
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension and retirement income generally taxable.
- Avg January Low
- 46.1°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 112.6 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 40 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
112.6 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Home Price
$1,666,000High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated August 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$2,343High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated August 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated August 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension and retirement income generally taxable.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated August 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
39.8 / 100Medium confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
61.6 / 100Medium confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
39.8 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated August 2026
Climate
Avg July High
84.7°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated August 2026
Avg January Low
46.1°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated August 2026
Annual Precipitation
26.4"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated August 2026
Sunny Days / Year
338 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated August 2026
Safety
Safety Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
44.8 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
9.3 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Demographics
Population
88,640High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Median Age
39.6High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Age 65+
19.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Median Household Income
$98,346High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
40.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Veterans
4.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
50.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Poverty Rate
13.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Diversity
White
68.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Black
1.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Hispanic/Latino
36.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Asian
3.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Santa Barbara using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$3,610
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$4,054
Median home price used: $1,666,000
Median rent reference: $2,343 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.
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