California → Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara County, California
Pasture here rented for $9.90 an acre in 2026, $7.60 below the California median of $17.50. That's the 7th percentile among the 38 California counties reporting that year, and the 12th percentile nationally.
Put that in lease terms. On a quarter section of 160 acres, the gap between this county and the state median is $1,216 a year. A difference that looks small per acre is large at that scale.
Across California's counties, the middle half of county averages in 2026 runs $14 to $23.50 an acre. Individual leases spread wider than county averages do, because grass, water, fencing and term length all move the price. An offer far outside this band should come with a reason the other side can say out loud.
Since 2009, this county's rate has fallen 1 percent: $10 then, $9.90 in 2026.
The counties next door
The comparison made at the kitchen table is with the neighbors. This year, rates across the county line go from $5.50 to $20 an acre. Every bordering county NASS tracks is listed at its most recent published rate.
| County | $/acre |
|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo | $20 |
| Kern | $5.60 (2024) |
| Ventura | $5.50 |
Every year on record
| Year | $/acre |
|---|---|
| 2009 | $10 |
| 2010 | $6.60 |
| 2012 | $5.80 |
| 2013 | $6.40 |
| 2014 | $6.50 |
| 2016 | $6.30 |
| 2017 | $6.50 |
| 2019 | $7 |
| 2020 | $9.60 |
| 2021 | $9.50 |
| 2022 | $10.50 |
| 2023 | $8.70 |
| 2024 | $9.20 |
| 2025 | $8.10 |
| 2026 | $9.90 |
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