AIR QUALITY CA

Air Quality in Santa Barbara, CA: Good (37 AQI)

AQI 37 · Good · PM2.5 · Updated 2026-05-03

Santa Barbara's air quality is good. Air pollution poses little or no risk.

Data: EPA AirNow, FEMA National Risk Index Last verified: 2026-05-03

Average AQI

Good

AQI Category

Wildfire Risk

Mold Score

ZIP Codes

What is AQI?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a standardized scale from 0 to 500 that measures air pollution levels. 0-50 is "Good," 51-100 is "Moderate," 101-150 is "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups," and above 150 is "Unhealthy" for everyone. AQI tracks five major pollutants: ground-level ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Santa Barbara's average AQI of 37 falls in the "Good" range.

How do wildfires affect air quality?

Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can travel hundreds of miles and dramatically spike AQI readings. During fire season, even cities far from active fires can experience unhealthy air. HEPA air purifiers (rated for PM2.5) are the most effective indoor protection. Check AirNow.gov for real-time conditions during fire season.

Air Quality Map: Santa Barbara, CA

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates AQI level. Tap a dot for details.

Good (0-50) Moderate (51-100) USG (101-150) Unhealthy (151+)

Air Quality by ZIP Code in Santa Barbara

AQI varies across Santa Barbara's 17 ZIP codes based on proximity to pollution sources and local geography.

ZIP Code	AQI	Category	Wildfire	Mold
93101	37	Good	45	48	View report →
93102	37	Good	45	19	View report →
93103	37	Good	45	48	View report →
93105	37	Good	45	45	View report →
93106	37	Good	43	39	View report →
93107	37	Good	43	15	View report →
93108	37	Good	51	43	View report →
93109	37	Good	45	39	View report →
93110	37	Good	44	37	View report →
93111	37	Good	44	39	View report →
93120	37	Good	45	15	View report →
93121	37	Good	45	15	View report →
93130	37	Good	45	15	View report →
93140	37	Good	45	15	View report →
93150	37	Good	45	15	View report →

Showing 15 of 17 ZIP codes. View all.

Air Quality Overview

Santa Barbara, California has good air quality with an average AQI of 37. This means air pollution poses little or no risk. The dominant pollutant measured is PM2.5.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an EPA-standardized scale from 0 to 500. Values below 50 are "Good," 51-100 "Moderate," 101-150 "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups," 151-200 "Unhealthy," 201-300 "Very Unhealthy," and above 300 "Hazardous."

Dominant Pollutant: PM2.5

PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) consists of particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers — about 30 times thinner than a human hair. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

Health effects of PM2.5 exposure:

Short-term: coughing, shortness of breath, aggravated asthma
Long-term: reduced lung function, cardiovascular disease, premature death
Most vulnerable: children, elderly, people with heart or lung disease

Common sources in urban areas: vehicle exhaust, construction dust, industrial emissions, wildfire smoke, residential wood burning.

Air Quality by ZIP Code in Santa Barbara

AQI varies across Santa Barbara's 17 ZIP codes based on proximity to pollution sources, traffic patterns, and local geography:

ZIP Code	AQI	Category	Wildfire Risk	Mold Score
93101	37	Good	45	48
93102	37	Good	45	19
93103	37	Good	45	48
93105	37	Good	45	45
93106	37	Good	43	39
93107	37	Good	43	15
93108	37	Good	51	43
93109	37	Good	45	39
93110	37	Good	44	37
93111	37	Good	44	39
93120	37	Good	45	15
93121	37	Good	45	15
93130	37	Good	45	15
93140	37	Good	45	15
93150	37	Good	45	15

Showing 15 of 17 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed data.

Wildfire Smoke Risk

Santa Barbara has an elevated wildfire smoke risk with an average smoke risk score of 45 (scale 0-100). There have been 336 fires recorded within 100 km of city ZIP codes.

Metric	Value
Avg. smoke risk score	45
Max smoke risk score	51
Fires within 100 km	336
High-risk ZIP codes	13

Wildfire smoke contains PM2.5, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. Even short-term exposure can trigger asthma attacks and respiratory distress.

Indoor Mold Risk

Santa Barbara has an average mold risk score of 28 out of 100.

Factor	Value
Mold risk score	28/100
Average humidity	57% RH
High-risk ZIPs	0
Peak season	winter high

Mold risk is influenced by humidity levels, housing age (older homes have more moisture issues), flood history, and water infrastructure quality. Indoor humidity above 60% creates favorable conditions for mold growth.

Signs of mold problems: musty odors, visible growth on walls or ceilings, worsening allergies indoors, condensation on windows. Professional mold testing ($300-$600) can identify hidden issues.

Health Recommendations

With good air quality (AQI 37), Santa Barbara residents can enjoy outdoor activities without significant restrictions. General tips:

Monitor AQI during wildfire season for temporary spikes
Use HEPA air purifiers indoors if you have respiratory conditions
Maintain indoor humidity between 30-50% to prevent mold

Santa Barbara vs. Nearby California Cities

How Santa Barbara's air quality compares to nearby cities:

City	AQI	Category	Population
Santa Barbara	37	Good	116,466
Redding	41	Good	116,624
Davis	68	Moderate	117,113
Antioch	42	Good	115,074

ZIP Codes in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara covers 17 ZIP codes. Air quality can vary by neighborhood based on proximity to highways, industrial areas, and green spaces. Check your specific ZIP code for localized data.

Data Sources

Air quality: EPA AirNow — real-time and historical AQI data
Wildfire risk: FEMA National Risk Index
Mold risk: Derived from EPA, FEMA, Census ACS (humidity, housing age, flood history)
Monthly AQI: EPA Air Quality Statistics

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the air safe to breathe in Santa Barbara?

Yes — Santa Barbara's average AQI is 37 (Good). Air pollution poses little or no risk for the general population.

How many unhealthy air days does Santa Barbara have?

Santa Barbara has zero recorded unhealthy air quality days, which is excellent. Air quality can still vary seasonally due to wildfire smoke, pollen, or industrial activity.

What is the AQI in Santa Barbara?

The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Santa Barbara is 37, categorized as Good. The primary pollutant is PM2.5. AQI ranges from 0-500, where 0-50 is Good, 51-100 Moderate, 101-150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, and 151+ Unhealthy.

What is the wildfire risk in Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara has a wildfire risk score of 45 out of 100. Moderate wildfire risk means smoke events are possible. Having a HEPA air purifier available is recommended.

Is mold a concern in Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara has a mold risk score of 28 out of 100, based on humidity, precipitation, and temperature data. Maintain good ventilation and address any water intrusion promptly to prevent mold growth.

Home → Cities → California → Santa Barbara, CA → Air Quality