Travel budget and cost of living in Santa Barbara (California) how much does a trip cost?

Santa Barbara travel budget

Santa Barbara: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Santa Barbara

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Santa Barbara for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Santa Barbara compared to United States in 2026

On average, the cost of living in Santa Barbara in 2026 is 27% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Santa Barbara in 2026 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Santa Barbara by expense type

Restaurant budget in Santa Barbara

Lunch

$ 31/person
($ 21 to $ 41)

---

52% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 51/person
($ 36 to $ 101)

---

33% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38

McDonald's meal

$ 16/person
($ 13 to $ 18)

---

27% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 9 for 500ml
($ 7 to $ 13)

---

53% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9

Imported beer

$ 4.5 for 330ml
($ 4 to $ 5)

---

26% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Cappuccino

$ 6.2/cup
($ 5 to $ 10.1)

---

17% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Fizzy drink

$ 3.1/can
($ 2.7 to $ 6)

---

20% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6

Water bottle

$ 2.5/bottle
($ 2 to $ 3)

---

16% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Santa Barbara

1-star hotel

$ 247/night
($ 96 to $ 981)

---

45% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 171

2-star hotel

$ 231/night
($ 79 to $ 779)

---

38% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168

3-star hotel

$ 320/night
($ 144 to $ 739)

---

30% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 247

4-star hotel

$ 501/night
($ 229 to $ 1277)

---

43% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 352

5-star hotel

$ 1078/night
($ 452 to $ 2068)

---

83% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 590

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 239/month
($ 135 to $ 730)

---

35% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 178

Room with kitchen

$ 403/month
($ 134 to $ 1204)

---

50% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 269

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 328/month
($ 81 to $ 1414)

---

46% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 225

Cottage or guest house

$ 413/month
($ 215 to $ 830)

---

60% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 260

Family room

$ 342/month
($ 83 to $ 1544)

---

57% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 219

Supermarket food budget in Santa Barbara

Milk

$ 1.4/litre
($ 0.9 to $ 1.8)

---

31% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 8.3/500g
($ 6.6 to $ 14)

---

15% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 7.2

Rice

$ 6.6/kg
($ 3.3 to $ 9.9)

---

46% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5

Eggs

$ 5.1/12 eggs
($ 3 to $ 7)

---

18% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.3

Chicken

$ 16/kg
($ 7.7 to $ 23)

---

30% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 7.3/kg
($ 4.4 to $ 8.9)

---

43% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2

Tomatoes

$ 10.3/kg
($ 2.7 to $ 14)

---

114% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8

Potatoes

$ 8.6/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 12)

---

199% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 2.8
($ 2 to $ 3.1)

---

22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Public and private transport budget in Santa Barbara

Bus ticket

$ 2.5/ticket
($ 2.5 to $ 2.5)

---

2% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 2.5/km
($ 2.5 to $ 4.4)

---

44% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.3/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 1.3)

---

42% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 3
($ 3 to $ 3)

---

16% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Car hire

$ 88/24hrs
($ 41 to $ 182)

---

6% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 83

Leisure activity budget in Santa Barbara

Cinema

$ 14/ticket
($ 13 to $ 16)

---

12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

Tennis

$ 21/hr
($ 21 to $ 21)

---

12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Santa Barbara

Cigarettes

$ 12/pack
($ 11 to $ 16)

---

15% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10.3

Levi's jeans

$ 77
($ 56 to $ 81)

---

45% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54

Summer dress

$ 48
($ 31 to $ 55)

---

9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 43

Plane ticket budget

London → New York City

$ 578
(fair price: $ 502)

Manchester → New York City

$ 701
(fair price: $ 580)

Dublin → New York City

$ 585
(fair price: $ 496)

Edinburgh → New York City

$ 833
(fair price: $ 662)

London → Miami (Florida)

$ 745
(fair price: $ 630)

London → Las Vegas

$ 971
(fair price: $ 791)