Santa Barbara Housing Market Report – May 2026
Here's a look at how the Santa Barbara, CA real estate market performed in May 2026, based on actual sold data from the MLS.
Market Snapshot
- Homes Sold: 103
- Median Sale Price: $1,800,000
- Average Sale Price: $2,507,597
- Average Price Per Sq Ft: $1,314
- Average Days on Market: 75
- Sale-to-List Price Ratio: 98.6%
Month-Over-Month Trends
Compared to April, the median sale price in Santa Barbara moved 5.3% up (from $1,710,000 to $1,800,000). The number of homes sold was 16.3% down compared to the prior month (123 vs. 103). Average days on market shifted 2.6% down (77 days to 75 days).
Year-Over-Year Comparison
Compared to May 2025, the median sale price is 6.5% down (from $1,925,000 to $1,800,000). Sales volume is 9.6% up year-over-year.
What This Means
Santa Barbara's housing market is showing mixed signals as we head into summer 2026. While the median price ticked up 5.3% month-over-month to $1.8 million, the year-over-year decline of 6.5% suggests we're still working through a softer pricing environment compared to last May. The uptick this month may simply reflect seasonal buying patterns as wealthier buyers return to the coast for the warmer months, rather than signaling a sustained recovery. More telling is the tightening timeline—homes are spending just 75 days on the market, down slightly from 77 last month, and sellers are capturing 98.6% of asking price. This indicates that despite softer annual pricing, there's still meaningful buyer interest at the right price point.
The real concern is the month-over-month sales volume drop of 16.3%, which points to a market that's cooling relative to spring activity. With 340 active listings sitting on the market for an average of 104 days—well above the typical 75—inventory is accumulating. Buyers have more options, which may be why sellers are holding closer to list price. For those considering a sale, expect realistic pricing and patience over the next few months.
Santa Barbara Sales by Zip Code
| Zip Code | Homes Sold | Median Price | Avg $/SqFt | Avg DOM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93105 | 25 | $1,744,000 | $1,088 | 83 |
| 93103 | 19 | $1,750,000 | $1,555 | 76 |
| 93110 | 16 | $1,457,012 | $955 | 68 |
| 93111 | 14 | $1,622,500 | $989 | 55 |
| 93109 | 14 | $3,715,000 | $1,793 | 55 |
| 93101 | 9 | $1,435,000 | $1,219 | 52 |
| 93108 | 6 | $5,320,000 | $2,093 | 179 |
Sales by Property Type
| Property Type | Homes Sold | Median Price | Avg $/SqFt |
|---|---|---|---|
| SINGLE_FAMILY | 73 | $2,250,000 | $1,426 |
| CONDOS | 16 | $1,087,000 | $1,088 |
| MULTI_FAMILY | 4 | $1,717,500 | $954 |
| CONDO | 4 | $1,288,000 | $1,045 |
| MOBILE | 3 | $649,000 | $433 |
| OTHER | 2 | $1,412,500 | $791 |
| LAND | 1 | $1,500,000 | N/A |
Sales by Price Range
| Price Range | Homes Sold |
|---|---|
| $300K - $399K | 2 |
| $500K - $749K | 4 |
| $750K+ | 97 |
Current Active Listings
As of this report, there are 340 active listings in Santa Barbara with a median asking price of $2,685,000 and an average of 104 days on market.
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