California · Off-grid & homestead potential

Santa Barbara County

26BoltScore / 100
#50 of 58 in California

Santa Barbara County is a weak bolthole (26/100). The trade-offs: pricey real estate (typical home $1005k) and elevated natural-hazard exposure.

How Santa Barbara County scores

Hazard Safety1
Freedom29
Food38
Isolation34
Sovereignty46
Water33
Affordability0
$1005kTypical home
0.7%Property tax
$21,172Land / acre
18.9"Annual rain
41.3% of yrsSevere drought
25 miNearest metro
161.4People / sq mi
47.3%Federal land
58.9°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Santa Barbara County, California

Is Santa Barbara County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Santa Barbara County is a weak bolthole (26/100). Watch-outs: pricey real estate (typical home $1005k) and elevated natural-hazard exposure.

How much does land cost in Santa Barbara County, California?

Land in Santa Barbara County runs about $21,172 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Santa Barbara County?

Santa Barbara County gets about 18.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 41.3% of years.

How remote is Santa Barbara County?

The nearest major metro is about 25 miles away, and population density is 161.4 people per square mile.

How Santa Barbara compares in California

See all 58 California counties ranked →