If you make a few thousand less than $100,000 per year in Santa Barbara, you’re considered low-income, according to a new state report.
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) released a report last month on 2025 State Income Limits. Income limits reflect median income and household income levels for acutely low-, extremely low-, very low-, low-, and moderate-income households for California’s 58 counties.
The report is used by the state to detail how much households can earn in each county to be eligible for various government programs, including housing assistance and loans for first time home buyers.
For a single person in Santa Barbara County, earning $98,850 per year is considered low income. If that same person earned a few thousand more to be over $100,050, it’s considered moderate income. The “Very Low Income” category is $61,800 per year followed by $37,100 per year for “Extremely Low” and $12,500 for “Acutely Low.”
The median income for a single person in Santa Barbara County is $83,350 and for a family of four the median is $119,100.
If a family of four in Santa Barbara County earns $142,900 per year, they are considered “moderate income,” but if they earn just slightly less at $141,200 they are considered “low income,” and $88,250 per year puts them in the “very low income” category.
Looking at our neighbors to the north in San Luis Obispo County, its median income for a family of four is slightly higher at $125,600. Although the annual income would be $111,300 to be considered low income, about $30,000 less than Santa Barbara County. For a single person in San Luis Obispo County to be considered low income they would have to earn $77,950 or less, an approximate $22,000 difference from Santa Barbara County.
Of the three counties along the Central Coast, Ventura County has the highest median income for a family of four at $131,300. Although to be considered low income, they would have to earn $119,750 annually, about $22,000 less than Santa Barbara. For single person in Ventura County, they would need to earn $83,850 or less to be considered low income.
Santa Barbara County joins the ranks of five counties in Northern California that also show earning a six-figure salary as a single person without dependents is considered “low income.”
Anyone making an annual income of up to $109,700 who are living in Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties are considered low income. In Santa Clara County, the home of Silicon Valley’s tech industry, $111,700 per year is considered low income.
Just five years ago, in 2020, there was no California county that considered a six-figure salary low income; with $97,600 standing as the low-income ceiling for Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties.
The two main factors appear to be the increased cost of housing and wages not keeping up with inflation and cost of living.
According to Redfin, the median sale price of a home in Santa Barbara is $1.875 million with an average annual increase of 4.2%. In Santa Maria, the median sale price is $642,000 with an 8% increase annually.
“The report comes as both the federal and state government plan to cut or shift funds for social safety net programs; rising insurance costs drive up rents; electric bills in California remain some of the highest in the country; and inflation is “projected to accelerate” under President Donald Trump’s tariff policies,” states CalMatters.
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Sorry to complain, but with the constant ads, the page keeps moving all over the place, making the articles very hard to read as they jump around the page.
Either way, it’s pretty effing crazy that a 6 figure income with no kids is considered “low income” around here. How is that possible? What jobs start young, single adults out at more than $100k? Not many, unless you’re in private law practice, a doctor, etc and maybe not even then in many cases. How are we supposed to attract the best and brightest if they can’t even afford a decent home here?
I know gas and groceries ($8 for a carton of eggs as of yesterday in Albertsons) are still way higher here than other areas of the US, but that’s not causing this. It’s all the housing costs – mortgages and rents. We’re risking turning (even more) into a community of only wealthy elderly people. That kind of community is not sustainable.
The costs of living need to come down or wages need to go way up. Period. Now, how to do that?
I’ll tell you how you DO NOT do that: tariffs and tax cuts for the wealthy. Oh and pardoning reality stars convicted of defrauding federal banks and tax evasion.
DOO “TrucksR4😺” LIES – “Who do you believe is responsible for the issues you identify in your last paragraph,”
Only one person has done these things. And no, I don’t blame anyone for these “issues,” I condemn TRUMP for these carrying out these actions.
Now, go ahead and “gloat” about winning some bet with an imaginary friend as you sip store brand brandy from a plastic cup.
sacaschiff – 4F. Who do you believe is responsible for the issues you identify in your last paragraph, starting with “I’tell you how you DO NOT – “. Just a name, none of your blithering BS response. I’m betting you won’t just identify the person(s) by name. Don’t let me down.
Droolie – Pick any name in the current executive hierarchy, starting with the orange moron on down.
hilarious trying to blame this on Trump. Hey honey, we knew the assignment.
Hey Jo-Jack, not a single person here is blaming this on Trump, honey.
Come on, JUMBO. Try reading for once.
Holy smokes sacjon. 3 casts before anyone even has a chance to post!!!
Who made you nanny?
SAIL – BASIC trolled my original post but then was deleted. That’s what my other posts were responding to.
And BASIC – choosing to just not live here isn’t the answer. Until SB and other coastal cities no longer need teachers, cops, restaurant staff, municipal employees, first responders, public defenders and DAs, even young doctors possibly, they can’t do without these people. How far out of town do you expect people to commute?
I mean heck, you’re the one who was throwing an all out tantrum about the traffic on the 101. Imagine all those employees now commuting from even further south and inland. Common sense.
But more importantly, how do you expect our necessary worker to do their jobs here?
This is beyond “affordable housing” for homeless and low income families. This is a major issue for anyone who doesn’t have 2 boats and grew up in Montecito.
You say I’m “barking up the wrong tree.” OK, so what is the solution? Can you articulate that or are you just here to whine and insult others?
Every time I walk into a restaurant or store I feel it is loaded with help – they are all over – no shortage there Maybe we don’t need three restaurants and a bank on every block.
Yeah RUBY, maybe just fire the extra employees and also all those extra teachers, cops, firemen, etc
The rubber nose has a simple minded solution to everything. Wrong, but simple.
smdh Amazing
I’ve been “extremely low income” my entire life! Lived here because of family and their support, was able to nurse both parents, for a long time, at their ends. And was able to work mostly for non-profits — meaningful, lower-pay work. Still here because yes, I inherited a house.
But really — $100K?? When I stopped formal work in 2011 I was making around $35K ! Granted, that was a long time ago, but tens of thousands of us are in the same monetary situation at this time.
Don’t struggle – move to where $100,000 is a lot of money.
RUBY – you and BASIC keep saying this. So, can I ask you something? Where should all the teachers, cops, firefighters, paramedics, young professionals, restaurant/hotel/bar/retail staff, city workers, maintenance workers, and many others all move to?
What’s the plan? You need these people for a functioning, safe city. So, what’s the plan?
Hey yeah let’s pay all THOSE particular people more (oh but wait, who gets the raises and who doesn’t because they aren’t “that essential”?) and simultaneously make all “their” cost of living cheaper via subsidized housing in a small, highly-desirable city. Hmm. Go with that! Yeah, no.
I think if you make 100k and can’t make it here solo, ie no spouse/partner contributing anything at all, then yeah – you need to decide if this is the place to be or not. Choices. It doesn’t matter of you’re a doctor or an unemployed internet troll.
I believe $100,000 is a household number, implying multiple breadwinners. There are plenty of such households and others who get by on a mere $90,000 who can hold down the fort. Others move to Alabama where they will be on top of it.
They can stay right where they are. There is o shortage, but if one develops pay will start going up and solve the problem. No government susidies.
Thinking with that rubber nose, again!
The rubber nose beeps out another ridiculous “solution”.
So we never get a single new teacher or nurse in Santa Barbara again? Is that what you want?
Compared to Ventura, SLO, and Kern counties, SB is the only county among our neighbors where more than *HALF* of households are low income.
You can see that in the household income tables contained in the Cal HCD report:
https://www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/docs/grants-and-funding/income-limits-2025.pdf
That’s the inference when the median income (half above, half below) is less than the low income threshold. Aside from housing costs, my guess is another contributor is we have proportionally more low income jobs in SB than our neighbors (e.g., hospitality, food prep, agriculture, retail, personal care).
Also, many moderate income jobs that don’t pay enough. If these insane billionaire tax cuts get approved, get ready to be paying even more for even less.
For an “advanced” and “civilized” nation, we really are struggling in the quality of life area. This is why facts are so important.
BASIC – “Hey yeah let’s pay all THOSE particular people more ”
Said no one ever anywhere here. Please learn to read.
“Yeah, no. I think if you make 100k and can’t make it here solo, ie no spouse/partner contributing anything at all, then yeah – you need to decide if this is the place to be or not.”
Once again, where are all those essential workers supposed to live then? Cops, teachers, etc?
You see, Paul, it is NOT that simple. It never is. Even if you’re a retired (unemployed) internet troll, which you are.
So, answer your very own question. How do YOU propose to make living affordable here in SB for “the chosen ones”? 😁
BASIC – “So, answer your very own question. How do YOU propose to make living affordable here in SB for “the chosen ones”?”
What? Dude, please read English. That’s not my question. I asked you and RUBY a VERY SIMPLE question. Don’t run away again because you got caught looking simple.
Man up and answer the question that is a logical response to your repeated and mindless suggestion for everyone who makes less than $100K to just leave and move somewhere else.
Hey, it was your crying that all started this. I have zero concern about this “100k is being poor” concept around here. You support it. What’s your solution?
All you do is complain and yap.
Go volunteer or something.
BASIC – “I have zero concern about this “100k is being poor” concept around here. You support it. What’s your solution?”
Concept? I support it? Support what? YOU are the one telling people to move if they can’t afford it. I asked you…. you know what? Never mind. You have no idea what you’ve even said, much less what you’re talking about now…
My God, man. You are staggeringly stupid.
Hey, you’re the one supporting this concept of 100k/year is “low income”. Ok, sure. I stated my opinion, which is I’m calling BS, and called you out to support what you think you’d want to do about it if that were the case. What’s so confusing for you? No need for baseless insults kiddo. It degrades you even further.
Paul, I’m not “supporting” anything. You don’t even know what is going on here, do you?
YOU SAID: “folks could just not choose to live in a very expensive place.” AND “if you make 100k and can’t make it here solo, ie no spouse/partner contributing anything at all, then yeah – you need to decide if this is the place to be or not.”
OK, that is your opinion. Now, why won’t you answer my question about your idea that those people should simply move somewhere else if they can’t afford it?
This is very simple, straightforward discourse using basic reading comprehension skills. Why do you insist on avoiding the question?
And no, those aren’t insults, Paul. Those are statements of fact.
Figure it out or just buzz off dude. Quit focusing all your energy on being a troll.
He doesn’t have a solution, which is why his favorite response is deflection.
He never does. Just whining and complaining about every topic ever broached here.
Agreed, Trump’s proposed tax cuts will not help middle and lower income Americans. And I’m not just referring to taxes due. There will be systemic impacts that will negatively affect Americans in ways MAGA supporters are oblivious to.
The BI guy and the Rube just blurt out simpleton answers without thinking it through. Everything is easy when you’re an armchair expert and don’t know what you’re talking about.
Rubes seems just honestly and willfully ignorant. BI on the other hand is just a wannabe troll. No one who supposedly graduated med school could be that fundamentally dumb.
Everything is a clue when you’re clueless.
I’m late to the party and don’t have much to say about the subject but I agree Edhat jumps all over the place and you can’t delete ads they just loop. I wrote them but ready to give up on the website.
We are aware of the issue and are working to resolve it. We did not receive your email, but you’re welcome to contact us at info@edhat.com.
Best,
Ed
Santa Barbara has been an expensive place to live for along time, but the woke and “progressive” agendas have made things much worse. Over the past 20-25 years (at least), the City of SB has tried to make SB more affordable. What has happened is that the cost of housing has simply spiraled upward and out of reach for many who were born and raised here. I find it interesting that those same progressive/woke folks would never/ever/ever consider lowering the price on their homes when they are ready to sell. No, no, no…..we be progressive, so we get more. Not sure how the progressive/woke approach has worked for the betterment of local workers who have to commute from places that they CAN afford. “You give up yours so I can keep all of Mine Mine Mine.” Progressive? Woke? Hardly.
BEES – that is a new one LOL. Blaming liberals for increasing home prices by building affordable housing that costs LESS than market value. How does that work?
You’re like the Mary Lou Retton of logic gymnastics! Careful! You might twist an ankle doing all those backflips!
Exactly. How has building affordable housing that costs less than market value worked out in SB? Uhhhhh…..yeah, that approach has worked really well. “Let’s build more so it will cost more. Then, let’s spend all our money so we have more money.” At least the City of Goleta is not ashamed to admit what they are doing, unlike SB.
It’s worked great for those families who have qualified and been able to purchase them. Of course you’ve never spoken to any of them.
Let’s talk when existing housing becomes affordable versus building crappy cracker boxes that folks can’t wait to get move out of. Project housing is just that….project housing. “Hey, there’s a 3/2 fixer near the Rose Garden…$95K”….then you wake up or maybe “woke” up. (LOL!)
So now you’re complaining that affordable housing isn’t nice enough?
Making existing homes all of a sudden affordable is not something you can blame liberals for or whoever you think is “woke.” That is based on factors outside of the City/County/State control.
What, you want to now force people to sell their homes for less than they paid?
Are you sure you’re not BASIC? Both you gals/guys complain about something, then get asked why/what’s your solution and then pivot/deflect/avoid and start complaining about something else that is irrelevant to your original complaint.
I don’t have any answers that would be acceptable to anyone who thrives on rhetorical questions. You mentioned recently that you were raised in Goleta (but originally from Utah?), which explains a lot about your out-of-touch approach to local issues. I certainly support your right to say what you have to say, but I can’t help you out with your “thing” (at least, not today).
BEES
1) You don’t know what the word, “rhetorical,” means. Nothing is rhetorical about me asking what your solution is to lowering the sale prices on existing homes. Just because you can’t answer a question, does not mean it is “rhetorical,” it just means you have no clue what you’re talking about.
2) I never said I was from Utah. No idea where you pulled that from. Nor did I say I was raised in Goleta. I only said that BASIC was not, based on his own admissions about the details of his life that HE chooses to share here constantly.
3) Again, just because you don’t understand something or disagree with it, doesn’t mean it’s “out of touch.”
4) My “thing” is calling out people like you who troll this site and have nothing of substance or reason to say.
Carry on.
How ’bout let’s talk when you develop rational thinking skills? I think we can wait.
Another devastating mic drop from a jealous.
BWAHAHAHA! Yeah, everyone is totally jealous of your vast mastery of all things LOL!
Dude gtf outta here with that nonsense.
We see the symptoms here from Bends Knees:
https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/27/opinion_column_ai_model_collapse/
Wut?!
Bends Knees has really gone around the bend.
The parrot squawks….
Yes, you do.
“Yes, you do….squaaawk squaaaaawk….”
Oh boy you nailed it this time, BendyKnees. Yes those commercial housing developers are notoriously progressive, woke types, always banging on about how they want to make all their homes super affordable, right? That’s why they never even think about making above the absolute minimum %-age of their projects affordable and use every stinking legal loophole they can find to build as many high-end homes as they can. And damn those progressive and wokety-woo-woo corporate home flippers & short-term rental owners. So much DEI and critical race theory in their swooping up as many of the cheapest homes they can for their rainbow venture capital shareholders and business models, right Bees? If only they were more ruthlessly capitalistic maga types we’d have so many more affordable homes for the working class in SB.
Quick, without googling, what was the name of the village that existed on the site that is now called City of Santa Barbara?
Oh, you don’t know? Then GTFO with your localism BS.
You are all idiots.
hatsoff2ya – must be clairvoyant as I’ve yet to post on this topic?
Totally.
“You are all” includes you, BASICBOOTLICKER
Yea, basically.
I worked at Twin burger on De La Vina so I feel I am qualified. My grandparents had a coffee shop on Lower State. Back in the day when there were signal lights on the freeway and my Dad would pick up hitchhikers.
Was the full name “Twin Burger Drive-In?” Home of the ‘Texas Burger’ or the ‘Steer Burger’ (or something like that)? I was told that the BEST sandwiches EVER made in Santa Barbara “back in the day” was at a German deli across the street from the Twin Burger (maybe where Edomasa is today?).
Speaking of great sandwiches, which btw are impossible to find these days, I know a place that was a contender for best sandos ever in SB. Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe. Hands down.
Tino’s, Three Pickles, Mission City, South Coast Deli, Norton’s, Country Catering, Sam’s To Go, and many more…… yeah totally “impossible” to find great sandwiches around here….. 🙄
You haven’t experienced enough, kiddo. Your “great” is average. Low standards.
“Low standards” coming from the gal/guy who thinks Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe had the best sandwiches “ever” in SB. Lol that’s funny.
Your constant absolutist and black and white approach to life has likely cost yku greatly. Be more open minded.
Bet you don’t even know where the original Tino’s was.
Sacjon: Your short list of places to buy so-called great sandwiches is accurate by today’s standards. I take it that you are quite young (20s? 30s?), so yeah, places like Subway and Jimmy John’s would, in fact, be considered top-of-the-line sandwiches by people of your age. Like asking my 8-year-old nephew who makes the best pizza, and the answer is…..Domino’s (he only wants pepperoni as a topping and he never eats the “qwust”). Overall, SB has averages to just OK sandwiches, but nothing even close to being great like “back in the day.”
BEES – You’re new to SB, aren’t you? Or are you just not very bright?
Comparing Tino’s to Subway is sacrilege. I also never mentioned any national chains, so you can stop lying about that.
So do tell (if you dare), what sandwich shops were “back in the day?” Tinos, Sam’s to Go too “new” for you?
Come on, liar, what you got?
I liked the little sandwich place in Montecito Village..piled high with meat and cheese. That’s it!
I agree we’ve got great sandwich options in town. But most food… sandwiches, burgers, pizza – people have VERY particular preferences for. I am a huge fan of South Coast Deli. I used to like 3 pickles, but then I had to go gluten free. I see that they have GF bread now, so maybe I’ll give it a try sometime, again. For the same reason, I’m sad I cannot eat Sam’s. You see, I have SPECIFIC sandwiches I liked at each place. The South Coast Turkey, Turkey bacon avocado from Sam’s. The veggie from 3 pickles.
I have a good friend (local) who is Latina and she’s very particular about her Mexican food. We don’t like the same places AT ALL. Then I realized that she was judging the restaurants by their chile verde. Lo and behold, that girl knows her chile verde.
Johnny’s Greek Italian Deli made the best sandwiches on State St for decades. Waaaay better than YOBS, which was lotsa meat, thin white bread and not much else. Nowadays the Three Pickles Rueben is the absolute King of SB Sandwiches, but in 2nd place is the fried chicken sammy at The Shop.
KIRK – the Greek Italian Deli was my favorite as a kid, after Tino’s! YOBS was pretty darn good too, especially that meatloaf sandwich, but hardly the “best ever” sandwiches in SB!
My grandfather on my moms side lived in back of that Counter across from Texas Burger next to the creek.
He had a single counter and would boil hamburgers, which was really weird to me because my dad could BBQ banana peels if that’s what you wanted , so it wasn’t something we had except there.
I think he was there around 1967-74
They were Germans from Ohio that moved west after WW1.
I was about 5.
Aloha burger was my favorite. And Ye Olde Butcher Shop in the ’70s-80’s was really good! There weren’t many sandwich shops or delis around then.
The village that lived on the coast and divided the seasons by living in the back country?
Could you try that again, but this time with something approaching valid English syntax, plus some meaning?
I miss Chuck’s!
Then you’re not paying attention.