10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Santa Barbara, CA

 

Learn More About Assisted Living in Santa Barbara, CA

 

Retirement in Santa Barbara means living near a beach and never being far from art fairs, historic structures, or gorgeous mountain vistas. Dubbed “The American Riviera,” this coastal California town is known for its Mediterranean climate and distinctive Spanish Revival Colonial architecture.

In Santa Barbara, assisted living communities provide personal care services in settings typically ranging from private apartments to shared rooms, often with restaurant-style dining and activities based on residents’ interests. Designed to promote independence among seniors who don’t require 24-hour skilled nursing care, assisted living is a good option for retirees who need help with some daily tasks and would like to live a socially fulfilling, active lifestyle.

Cost of Assisted Living in Santa Barbara, CA

The median monthly cost of assisted living in Santa Barbara, California is about $3,300 in the city proper and $3,400 within the metropolitan area. The median monthly cost of assisted living in the state of California is around $4,100.

 

Learn More About Santa Barbara, CA

 

Cost of Living

 

The total household expenses associated with living in Santa Barbara are rated 10 points above the national average. Grocery and other essential costs are also rated above average.

Index Scores

All index scores are based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates that the cost is twice as expensive as the national average, while a score of 50 indicates that the cost is half as expensive.

Household Expenses	Health Care	Insurance	Entertainment	Grocery	Clothing
110	106	113	111	113	109

 

Income and Housing

Median income age 45-64	Median income age 65+	Median household income	Average individual income	Median employee salary	Average property tax	One-bedroom apartment gross rent estimate
$104,029 per year	$65,728 per year	$79,344 per year	$42,094 per year	$47,191 per year	$8,462 per year	$1,323 per month

 

 

Local Hospitals

 

The top hospitals that service Santa Barbara include:

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital

• Facility type: nonprofit, short-term acute care
• Bed count: 360+
• Specialties: emergency department, ICU, joint replacement

Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital

• Facility type: nonprofit, short-term acute care
• Bed count: 20+
• Specialties: emergency department, joint replacement, inpatient surgery

 

 

Weather and Climate

 

Santa Barbara’s Mediterranean climate, with warm winters and cool summers, is one of the most desirable in the country and is often ranked accordingly. Ocean breezes help moderate temperatures throughout the year. Most of Santa Barbara’s rainfall occurs during winter, whereas summers are mostly dry, and humidity remains relatively low during every season, particularly winter.

 

Seasonal Temperatures

January Average	January Maximum	January Minimum
53.1°F	65.4°F	40.8°F

 

July Average	July Maximum	July Minimum
67°F	76.7°F	57.3°F

 

Air Quality

• Relative Air Quality Index: 68

This index is based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates twice the presence of air pollutants than the national average, while a score of 50 indicates half the presence.

Precipitation

• Average Annual Precipitation: 16.93”

 

 

Demographics and Values

 

Population Statistics

Median age	Percent of population over 65	Population	Population Density	Average Household Size
35	18.0%	193,292	500.8 per square mile	2.58

 

Race & Ethnicity

American Indian or Alaskan Native	Asian	Black	Hispanic or Latino	Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	White (not Hispanic or Latino)
0.7%	3.9%	1.3%	36.5%	0.2%	3.6%	56.2%

These figures were taken from the most recent U.S. Census.

 

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity

These scores were taken from the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.

• Non-discrimination laws in Santa Barbara, CA: 30/30
• Overall inclusivity: 100/100

 

2016 Presidential Election

Democratic	Republican	Other
60.61%	31.88%	7.5%

 

 

Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation

 

If your ideal retirement is lounging on a beach, surrounded by art fairs, historic structures, and mountain vistas, look no further than Santa Barbara. This coastal California town has been dubbed “The American Riviera,” largely due to its Mediterranean climate and distinctive Spanish Revival Colonial architecture.

One of Santa Barbara’s most popular tourist destinations is its Waterfront neighborhood, which sits just southeast of downtown and features beachside restaurants and stores along Cabrillo Boulevard, as well as West Beach and the marinas of Santa Barbara Harbor. Here you’ll also find Stearns Wharf, one of the oldest piers in California and now home to several dining spots, museums, souvenir shops, a candy shop, and an ice cream parlor. As you head inland from the Pacific shore toward the Santa Ynez Mountains, you’ll encounter the historic landmark Mission Santa Barbara, a religious outpost founded by Franciscan Friars in the late 1700s. The old chapel and surrounding park attract many of the town’s sightseers, and the Mission grounds still serve as a place of worship today.

Both residents and visitors of Santa Barbara have seemingly endless opportunities to celebrate the town’s local art and history. In addition to Santa Barbara’s Museum of Art, Botanic Garden, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Museum of Natural History and accompanying Sea Center, the city hosts a range of festivals, such as the annual Summer Solstice Parade, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, a street-painting event outside the Mission called I Madonnari, and the Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show along the beach. Santa Barbara is also known for its classical music culture, with professional symphony and opera groups performing throughout the year. Notable theaters throughout town include the Arlington, Lobero, and Granada, as well as the Santa Barbara Bowl, a large amphitheater built into a canyon in the Riviera neighborhood.

Transportation

The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) provides bus service throughout the city and surrounding areas as well as shuttles in the Downtown and Waterfront neighborhoods. As Santa Barbara is a bicycle-friendly town, the MTD encourages riders to bring their bikes onto buses, which are equipped with bicycle racks. Easy Lift Transportation is a nonprofit organization serving the Santa Barbara area with paratransit for seniors or residents with limited mobility.