Located in the heart of Santa Barbara County, the City of Buellton is known for its welcoming community, scenic landscapes, and friendly residents. If you’re considering moving to Buellton, you’ll quickly discover why life in this California city is so special.
Originally established as a stagecoach stop along the historic El Camino Real, Buellton grew into a thriving town thanks to its ranching roots and strategic location along Highway 101. Today, it’s best known as the “Gateway to the Santa Ynez Valley,” offering residents living in Buellton CA access to world-class wineries, farm-to-table dining, and exciting outdoor activities. From hiking in the rolling hills to cycling through vineyards, living in Buellton CA means embracing the natural beauty of California.
Whether you’re looking for a place to start a family or are just on the hunt for a new adventure, living in Buellton CA has a lot to offer. But is Buellton CA a good place to live? Here’s everything you need to know before moving to Buellton.
Is Buellton CA a Good Place to Live?
Buellton, California is a good place to live. When living in Buellton CA, you’ll enjoy a small-town, local vibe while still having easy access to the best Santa Barbara neighborhoods and parks.
Where Is Buellton California?
Buellton California is in Santa Barbara County and is situated in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. When living in Buellton CA, you’ll be bordered by open space in the valley and the Santa Ynez River, providing you with a peaceful living experience. Nearby cities include Solvang and Los Olivos. It is 44.2 miles from Buellton CA to Santa Barbara CA.
Most people living in Buellton CA rely on personal vehicles to get around, but the Amtrak Thruway buses do serve the city. This service operates daily buses to the Santa Barbara station, where you can then connect to both Amtrak and FlixBus.
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Buellton Population & Demographics
How many people are living in Buellton CA? Buellton has a population of 5,090, which is a population increase of 5% over the past decade. Living in Buellton CA is popular among older families and retirees, with a median age of 37.6, which is higher than the Santa Barbara metro average of 34.5. Additionally, 63% of households are occupied by married couples, and the average household size is 2.6 persons.
Additional Buellton Demographics:
- Sex ratio: 53% female, 47% male
- Racial & ethnic composition: 96% White (72% non-Hispanic), 3% two or more races, 1% Asian
- Educational attainment: 94% high school degree (or higher), 40.1% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Foreign-born population: 13.8%
- Median household income: $96,028 (compared to California average of $96,334)
Is living in Buellton CA safe? Here’s a look at the Buellton crime rate:
- Overall crime rate: 1,883 crimes per 100,000 people (33.8% lower than state average and 19.0% lower than national average)
- Violent crime rate: 116 crimes per 100,000 people (76.8% lower than state average and 68.6% lower than national average)
- Property crime rate: 1,766 crimes per 100,000 people (24.6% lower than state average and 9.6% lower than national average)
As you can see, living in Buellton CA is very safe, with crime rates well below the national and state averages. After moving to Buellton, you’ll be served by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Buellton Cost of Living
Are you wondering whether or not living in Buellton CA is affordable for you and your family? The cost of living in Buellton CA is fairly similar to other cities nearby, particularly Santa Barbara and Solvang. The Cost of Living Index in Buellton is 154.7, meaning that the city is 54.7% more expensive than the national average.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Buellton CA would need to earn $155,219 per year ($12,935 per month) to live comfortably in the city.
Typical Buellton Living Expenses
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $22.00
- Gallon of milk: $4.58
- Carton of eggs: $4.58
- Pound of apples: $2.43
- Gallon of gas: $4.72
- Fitness membership per month: $66.50
- Average Buellton utilities per month: $194.44
Source: Numbeo
Of course, you’ll need housing when living in Buellton CA. According to Redfin, the average home price in Buellton CA is $782,500, which is higher than the national average of $427,000. Buellton CA real estate prices are down 7.4% compared to last year, and most homes in the area are single family homes with easy access to some of the city’s top amenities.
Would you rather rent when living in Buellton CA? According to RentCafe, the average rent in Buellton is $2,529 for a 729-square-foot apartment. A few complexes in the area include Avenue Heights Apartments and Oak Park Apartments.
Neighborhoods in Buellton CA | Where to Live in Buellton
When living in Buellton CA, you’ll want to choose the best place to settle down. Because Buellton is only 1.58 square miles in size, there aren’t many distinct neighborhoods to choose from in the area. If you prefer to be in the middle of the action when living in Buellton CA, then check out the area along the Avenue of Flags. This area is full of small condos and apartments as well as a few single-family homes. It’s walkable and close to some of the best shopping, dining, and hotels in Buellton CA.
If you want to enjoy a bit more peace and quiet, then the southern and western sections of Buellton are more secluded. Here, the housing consists of large single-family homes as well as plenty of open land for building custom houses.
Buellton CA Weather & Climate
What kind of weather can you expect when living in Buellton CA? Buellton has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, according to the Köppen Classification. This means that the area has warm summers and comfortable winters. The average summer Buellton temperature is 73ºF, while the average winter Buellton temperature is 40ºF. It doesn’t rain much in Buellton, and the average annual rainfall is only 19 inches, which is far less than the national average of 38 inches.
Things to Do in Buellton CA
When living in Buellton CA, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do. You can shop at grocery stores like Albertsons and El Rancho Market and enjoy outdoor activities at one of the city’s many parks. These are a few of the best things to do in Buellton CA.
River View Park is a must-see after moving to Buellton. It's one of the most fun things to do in Buellton with kids and features basketball courts, walking trails, picnic tables, and more.
151 Sycamore Dr, Buellton, CA 93427, (805) 688-5177
This unique museum features a private collection of vintage gas, racing, and roadway artifacts.
24 Zaca St, Buellton, CA 93427, (805) 689-2402
When living in Buellton CA, you can’t skip out on Ostrichland USA. This unique attraction is a large ranch where you can feed ostriches, buy fresh eggs, and buy souvenirs in the gift shop.
610 E Hwy 246, Solvang, CA 93463, (805) 686-9696
Additional Buellton Attractions
Still aren’t sure what to do in Buellton? Check out the city website for upcoming events and other Buellton news.
Buellton Restaurants
Curious about restaurants you can enjoy when living in Buellton CA? The area is full of both wonderful eateries and excellent wineries. These are just some of the best restaurants in Buellton.
Stop by Ellen’s Danish Pancake House for a delicious breakfast. They serve up traditional Danish pancakes as well as other breakfast favorites like omelets, bacon, and sausage.
272 Ave of Flags, Buellton, CA 93427, (805) 688-5312
Make sure you head to Hitching Post 2 with an appetite! This long-standing restaurant features generous portions of oak-grilled meats alongside their signature house wines.
406 E Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427, (805) 688-0676
When living in Buellton CA, you can’t skip out on Mother Hubbard’s. This cozy restaurant serves classic American dishes like steaks, burgers, and meatloaf.
373 Ave of Flags Ste A, Buellton, CA 93427, (805) 688-3912
Buellton Jobs
Will you need a new job when living in Buellton CA? According to the city’s most recent Economic Development Strategy report, 33% of residents living in Buellton are in the management, business, science, and arts industries, 30% are in the service industry, 21% in the sales and office industries, 9% in the production and transportation industries, and 8% in the natural resources, construction, and maintenance industries.
The report also highlighted where most people living in Buellton CA work. The most popular cities include:
- Buellton: 14.1% of residents
- Santa Barbara City: 11.1% of residents
- Solvang: 10.1% of residents
- Goleta: 7.5% of residents
- Santa Ynez CDP: 6.7% of residents
- Santa Maria: 4.0% of residents
A few of the top employers near Buellton include Santa Barbara County, Cottage Health, University of California, Santa Barbara, and Marriott International. According to Payscale, the average salary in the Santa Barbara/Buellton area is $88,000.
Interested in jobs in Buellton? Check out the city job board or do a search on Indeed.
Schools in Buellton California
When living in Buellton CA, you’ll be served by the Buellton Union School District, which is home to several top-ranking schools. In 2019, Jonata Middle School was named a California Distinguished School, while Buellton Union Elementary School was named a California Exemplary District.
Buellton Union School District only serves grades K through 8, and high schools in the area are zoned to the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District.
When living in Buellton CA, make sure you check out the Buellton Library.
Buellton CA Statistics & Information
- Buellton county: Santa Barbara County
- Buellton area: 1.58 square miles
- Buellton zip code: 93427
- Buellton area code: 805
- Buellton elevation: 358 feet
- Buellton time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC -7 and -8)
- Closest airport to Buellton: Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), 35.5 miles away
Map of Buellton CA
Are You Ready to Start Living in Buellton CA?
Does living in Buellton CA sound great to you? The Buellton movers at Movegreen are here to help make moving to Buellton a smooth and stress-free experience. With years of experience under our belts, our team is highly qualified to transport your belongings to your new home. Give us a call today at (866) 684-7336 to discuss your move and receive a free quote.
