Signals
Isla Vista
Santa Barbara
Opportunity
46 · Bottom 28%
vs72 · Top 18%
Climate
89 · Top 8%
vs89 · Top 8%
Physical resilience
20 · Bottom 13%
vs20 · Bottom 13%
Housing affordability
0 · Bottom 1%
vs34 · Bottom 2%
Access
74 · Bottom 16%
vs71 · Bottom 13%
Economic stability
29 · Bottom 6%
vs53 · Bottom 37%
Measured values
| Metric | Isla Vista | Santa Barbara | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,920 | 87,779 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $25,972 | $106,182 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $14,110 | $65,452 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 25,263/sq mi | 4,504/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $1,218,800 | $1,570,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,878 | $2,413 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 1.2% | 39.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% | 3.4% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.7% | -0.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 43.7% | 51.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 70.4% | 14.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 71°F | 73°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 43°F | 41°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 19.0" | 17.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 48 mi | 54 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 17.5 min | 18.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 21.2 | 39.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Isla Vista
Elevated or high exposure: landslide, drought, earthquake.
Santa Barbara
Elevated or high exposure: landslide, drought, earthquake.
Your best match
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Isla Vista
43
Your Score
—
Area Score
Santa Barbara
54
Your Score
52
Area Score
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Full profiles: Isla Vista, CA · Santa Barbara, CA · How this is calculated: methodology