Low Income Mark in Santa Barbara County Could be Shocking to Those Making Good Salaries
John Palminteri
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – That college degree earned a few years ago and the thought of making around $100,000 a year someday soon may not be enough in Santa Barbara County.
A new report says a single person making $98,850 in Santa Barbara County is still considered low income.
In the Bay area – Marin, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Francisco counties that figure is $100,000.This comes at a time when social service and non-profit groups serving those living on the edge say their numbers are growing and the demand is not going down.
The data comes from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Some of these figures are used to determine housing programs and funding plans to offset the costs, for example, for first time home buyers and certain loans or other financial assistance.
Both San Diego and Orange Counties have had changes similar to Santa Barbara County.
The high cost of housing is believed to be a key factor in the calculations. A single person making six-figures could be above the median income of the area, but because of the lofty prices for housing, they fall into a low income range. Checking on several sites including Zillow, the average price of a home is around $1.8 million in Santa Barbara and about $650 thousand in Santa Maria.
“This is one of the more expensive places on the planet. So in a way, it’s a choice that’s involved there,” said Jay McGrath in downtown Wednesday. “You’ve got to factor it in when you’re young, especially. You sort of figure it’s going to be hard going for a while? “
To get beyond the new level described as low income, it will take a higher paying job or multiple jobs at once.
Cristian Arambula said, “Yes. Two jobs and like five side quest and, some overtime. Yeah. Everyone’s kind of doing what they can. The side hustle is real. Yeah, absolutely. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash. You can do some production stuff. I work with livestock. I do massage now. I just came from a modeling gig.”
Connor Winship said, “you know, prices of food have definitely increased .” He also says he leaves his car behind to save some money. “I am lucky to drive to work if I want to. I could bike to work if I want to. I haven’t been too impacted personally”
The economics of living in these times have many residents stretching out their working years.
McGrath said, “I do, and I see more people who are retired who are not really retiring. They’re working past retirement. They’re getting both their benefits, and then they go out and get a side gig.”
More information can be found at: California Department of Housing and Community Development