Salary Needed to Live in Santa Barbara as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $36,194/year to live comfortably in Santa Barbara, CA — including 5% savings.
Comfortable Salary
$36,194
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$33,715
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,051
70% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Santa Barbara
| Expense | Santa Barbara | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $270 | $121 | +123% |
| 🛒 Groceries | $25 | $16 | +56% |
| ⚡ Utilities | $20 | $15 | +33% |
| 🚗 Transportation | $28 | $18 | +56% |
| 🛡️ Car Insurance | $249 | $215 | +16% |
| 🏥 Health Insurance | $73 | $54 | +35% |
| Medicare Supplement | $360 | $200 | +80% |
| Prescription Drugs | $270 | $150 | +80% |
| Internet + Phone | $216 | $120 | +80% |
| Recreation & Social | $360 | $200 | +80% |
| Home Maintenance | $180 | $100 | +80% |
| Total Monthly | $2,051 | $1,209 | +70% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,051
Target savings (5%):$116/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$2,167
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$36,194
Other Household Types in Santa Barbara
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in Santa Barbara?
A retiree needs approximately $36,194/year ($3,016/month gross) to live comfortably in Santa Barbara with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Santa Barbara?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Santa Barbara costs approximately $270/month, which is the largest single expense at 13% of the total budget.
Is Santa Barbara affordable for a retiree?
Santa Barbara is above the national average for retiree living costs, requiring 70% more salary than the US median.