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Rental Market Trends in Santa Maria, CA

What is the average rent in Santa Maria, CA?

$1,951/month

Average Rent

649 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

-1.1%

Decrease in the Last Year

As of March 2026, the average rent in Santa Maria, CA is $1,951 per month. This is 20% higher than the national average rent price of $1,627/month, making Santa Maria one of the most expensive cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in Santa Maria, you can expect to pay about $1,627 per month for a studio, $1,951 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $2,327 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $3,227 or more.

Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$1,627/month
430 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,951/month
649 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,327/month
858 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,227/month
1,302 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,834/month
334 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,566/month
604 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,335/month
979 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$6,823/month
1,784 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,264/month
496 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft

How much has average rent changed in Santa Maria, CA?

In the past year, rent has decreased by 1.1%, which averages out to $21 less per month.

Market Trends Over Time   The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated March 2026
Legend
2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time
Rent Ranges in Santa Maria, CA
Last Updated March 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in Santa Maria, CA
Percentage*
Rent Range
3% Below $700/month
3% $700 - $1,000/month
14% $1,001 - $1,500/month
26% $1,501 - $2,000/month
54% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

Last Updated Today
  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Santa Maria?

Based on current rent prices, Railroad Loft District, Civic District and Westgate Ranch are the most affordable neighborhoods in Santa Maria.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Railroad Loft District
$1,950/month
702 Sq Ft
Civic District
$1,950/month
702 Sq Ft
Westgate Ranch
$1,997/month
573 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Santa Maria?

Based on current rent prices, Westgate Ranch, Railroad Loft District and Civic District are the most expensive neighborhoods in Santa Maria.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Westgate Ranch
$1,997/month
573 Sq Ft
Railroad Loft District
$1,950/month
702 Sq Ft
Civic District
$1,950/month
702 Sq Ft

Which Santa Maria neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhoods in Santa Maria with the most apartments available are Railroad Loft District, Civic District and Westgate Ranch .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Railroad Loft District
$1,950/month
702 Sq Ft
Civic District
$1,950/month
702 Sq Ft
Westgate Ranch
$1,997/month
573 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Santa Maria, CA?

Because the average rent in Santa Maria is $1,951, you’ll want to make about $6,503 per month or $78,036 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.

City

Santa Maria, CA

331 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

How does Santa Maria, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare Santa Maria, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.

Explore the Area Guide for Santa Maria, CA

Apartment Averages

Railroad Loft District

Santa Maria, CA

Westgate Ranch

Santa Maria, CA

Studio
-
-
One Bedroom
-
-
Two Bedroom
-
-
Three Bedroom
-
-
Search
Search

Nearby City Rent Trends

  • Orcutt Average Rent
  • Arroyo Grande Average Rent

Apartment communities in Santa Maria we think you'll love

Las Brisas

Las Brisas

983 W Dan Blough Dr,
Santa Maria, CA 93455

$2,419 - $3,680 Total Monthly Price

1-3 Beds | 13 Month Lease

Refugio

Refugio

2299 Carrasco Way,
Santa Maria, CA 93455

$3,150 - $3,600

3 Beds

Villa del Sol Senior Apts 55+

Villa del Sol Senior Apts 55+

1311 W Battles Rd,
Santa Maria, CA 93458

$1,350 - $2,612

Studio - 2 Beds

Centennial Gardens Apartments

Centennial Gardens Apartments

800 W Battles Rd,
Santa Maria, CA 93458

$1,136 - $3,157

2-4 Beds

Property Management Companies in Santa Maria, CA

Greystar
Greystar
  • 3,484

    Communities

  • 958,193

    Units

  • 897

    Cities

5 Communities in Santa Maria
Afton Properties
Afton Properties
  • 22

    Communities

  • 6,961

    Units

  • 14

    Cities

2 Communities in Santa Maria
The Towbes Group, Inc.
The Towbes Group, Inc.
  • 10

    Communities

  • 1,745

    Units

  • 5

    Cities

2 Communities in Santa Maria
CONAM Management Corporation
CONAM Management Corporation
  • 167

    Communities

  • 28,977

    Units

  • 83

    Cities

1 Community in Santa Maria

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United States California Santa Maria Rental Trends

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity