True Cost of Renting in Ventura

Ventura (officially San Buenaventura) sits on the Pacific coast between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, offering a relaxed surf culture and beach lifestyle at rents well below either neighbor. The Channel Islands National Park boat launch in the harbor draws outdoor enthusiasts, and the historic Downtown is genuinely walkable for a city this size. Ventura is popular with renters priced out of Santa Barbara who still want the 101 coastal lifestyle.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Midtown

Studio:
$1,500/mo
1 Bed:
$2,000/mo
2 Bed:
$2,800/mo

Central residential district along Main Street; mix of 1950s–1980s apartment buildings and newer infill. Walkable to restaurants and the Ventura Pier. SCE electric. Street parking generally available in most blocks. Good Metrolink access for LA commuters.

Historic Downtown

Studio:
$1,600/mo
1 Bed:
$2,200/mo
2 Bed:
$3,100/mo

Walkable arts and restaurant corridor near Main Street and the Mission; newer condominiums converted to rentals and boutique apartments. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner station provides car-free access to LA and SB.

East Ventura / Saticoy

Studio:
$1,200/mo
1 Bed:
$1,700/mo
2 Bed:
$2,300/mo

Most affordable area in Ventura; older apartment complexes east of the 101 near Saticoy. Car-dependent but easy US-101 access. Lower rents for renters prioritizing budget over walkability.

Utility Providers

Electric
SCE (Southern California Edison)
Water
City of San Buenaventura Water and Sewer Division
Internet
Spectrum, AT&T, T-Mobile Home Internet

Commute & Transportation

Ventura's primary highway is US-101, which runs coastal through the city. Downtown LA is approximately 65 miles south — a 75–90 minute drive off-peak, often 2+ hours during rush hour. Santa Barbara is 35 miles north (35–40 minutes). The Metrolink Ventura County Line connects Ventura to Union Station in LA with stops in Oxnard, Camarillo, Moorpark, Simi Valley, and Chatsworth — a 90-minute journey that avoids freeway traffic. Ventura College and the Channel Islands campus of CSU Channel Islands (in nearby Camarillo) provide education sector employment. The agriculture and strawberry farming industry employs a significant portion of the region's workforce.

Rental Market Overview

Ventura rents are 25–30% below Santa Barbara and 20–25% below Westside LA neighborhoods, making it popular with educators, healthcare workers, and remote workers seeking coastal lifestyle on a budget. SCE electric rates are more manageable than SDG&E but still above national average. Ventura's rental market is less complex than LA's — most landlords are small operators, RSO protections exist on pre-1978 buildings, and the AB 1482 statewide cap applies. The Metrolink connection makes LA employment accessible without daily freeway driving. Renter's insurance averages $15–20/month.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Ventura

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Ventura: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Ventura?
One-bedroom apartments in Ventura range from $1,700/month in East Ventura / Saticoy to $2,200/month in Historic Downtown. Two-bedroom units range from $2,300 to $3,100/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Ventura?
In Ventura, electricity is provided by SCE (Southern California Edison), water by City of San Buenaventura Water and Sewer Division, and common internet providers include Spectrum, AT&T, T-Mobile Home Internet. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Ventura.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Ventura?
East Ventura / Saticoy is the most affordable of the 3 Ventura neighborhoods covered here, at $1,700/month for a one-bedroom — $500 less than Historic Downtown, roughly a 23% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Ventura expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Ventura runs about $1,967/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Ventura rents are 25–30% below Santa Barbara and 20–25% below Westside LA neighborhoods, making it popular with educators, healthcare workers, and remote workers seeking coastal lifestyle on a budget. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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