City profile
Isla Vista, CA
Santa Barbara County · Population 13,920
Isla Vista is a town in Santa Barbara County, CA with about 13,920 residents and a typical home value near $1,219,000. It is 96 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Warm & sunny
Winter avg
57°F
Summer avg
74°F
Sunny days / yr
284
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$1,218,800
Typical monthly housing
$7,341
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
186
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.71%
- State income tax (top)
- 13.3%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 8.85%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High · county score 99/100
Top hazards: Landslide, Drought, Earthquake
Nearest major airport
87 mi to Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport (BUR)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 62% Democratic / 35% Republican
Community
Population
13,920
Black population
4.7%
County
Santa Barbara County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸More retirees are leaving CA than arriving, mostly over cost
- ▸Home insurance is very expensive or hard to get here — get quotes before you buy
- ▸Home prices are softening in 2026 — more room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: wildfire, earthquakes
Highlights
- About 13,920 residents
- Typical home value about $1,219,000
- 96 miles from Los Angeles, CA
Trade-offs
- Smaller community with fewer local amenities
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.