Sierra Sands
327 Plaza Dr,
Santa Maria, CA 93454
$981 - $2,742
1-3 Beds
Rental Market Trends in Santa Maria, CA
What is the average rent in Santa Maria, CA?
$1,840/month
Average Rent
635 Sq Ft
Average Apartment Size
-4.2%
Decrease in the Last Year
As of January 2026, the average rent in Santa Maria, CA is $1,840 per month. For comparison, the national average rent price in the US is currently $1,625/month, which means Santa Maria rent prices are 13% higher than the national average. When you rent an apartment in Santa Maria, you can expect to pay about $1,447 per month for a studio, $1,840 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $2,221 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $3,150 or more.
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average 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 4.2%, which averages out to $78 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 January 2026
Legend
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Santa Maria, CA
Last Updated January 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
3%
Below $700/month
3%
$700 - $1,000/month
15%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
29%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
50%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
Last Updated Today
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Santa Maria?
Based on current rent prices, Driftwood Gardens, Westgate Ranch and La Vigna are the most affordable neighborhoods in Santa Maria.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Santa Maria?
Based on current rent prices, Rose Garden Village, Civic District and Railroad Loft District are the most expensive neighborhoods in Santa Maria.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which Santa Maria neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhoods in Santa Maria with the most apartments available are Westgate Ranch, La Vigna and Civic District .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Santa Maria, CA?
Because the average rent in Santa Maria is $1,840, you’ll want to make about $6,133 per month or $73,596 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.
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.
Studio
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One Bedroom
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Two Bedroom
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Three Bedroom
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Nearby City Rent Trends
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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 November 2025.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.