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Rental Market Trends in Santa Maria, CA

What is the average rent in Santa Maria, CA?

$1,895/month

Average Rent

635 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

-4.8%

Decrease in the Last Year

As of October 2025, the average rent in Santa Maria, CA is $1,895 per month. This is 16% higher than the national average rent price of $1,630/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 $1,595 per month for a studio, $1,895 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $2,256 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $3,190 or more.

Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$1,595/month
429 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,895/month
635 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,256/month
836 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,190/month
1,289 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,900/month
550 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,598/month
426 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,344/month
917 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$4,049/month
1,909 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 4.8%, which averages out to $91 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 October 2025
Legend
2024 2025
Market Trends Over Time

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, Driftwood Gardens, Railroad Loft District and Belvedere are the most affordable neighborhoods in Santa Maria.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Driftwood Gardens
$1,874/month
627 Sq Ft
Railroad Loft District
$2,165/month
699 Sq Ft
Belvedere
$2,165/month
699 Sq Ft
Civic District
$2,187/month
691 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Santa Maria?

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

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Civic District
$2,187/month
691 Sq Ft
Railroad Loft District
$2,165/month
699 Sq Ft
Belvedere
$2,165/month
699 Sq Ft
Driftwood Gardens
$1,874/month
627 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, Belvedere and Civic District .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Railroad Loft District
$2,165/month
699 Sq Ft
Belvedere
$2,165/month
699 Sq Ft
Civic District
$2,187/month
691 Sq Ft
Driftwood Gardens
$1,874/month
627 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 $1,895, you’ll want to make about $6,316 per month or $75,792 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

339 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

Driftwood Gardens

Santa Maria, CA

Civic District

Santa Maria, CA

Studio
-
-
One Bedroom
-
-
Two Bedroom
-
-
Three Bedroom
-
-
Search
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Nearby City Rent Trends

  • Orcutt Average Rent
  • Arroyo Grande Average Rent
  • Grover Beach Average Rent

Apartment communities in Santa Maria we think you'll love

Villa del Sol Senior Apts 55+

Villa del Sol Senior Apts 55+

1311 W Battles Rd,
Santa Maria, CA 93458

$1,350 - $2,550

Studio - 2 Beds

Centennial Gardens Apartments

Centennial Gardens Apartments

800 W Battles Rd,
Santa Maria, CA 93458

$1,136 - $3,513

2-4 Beds

Sierra Sands

Sierra Sands

327 Plaza Dr,
Santa Maria, CA 93454

$981 - $2,742

1-3 Beds

Refugio

Refugio

2299 Carrasco Way,
Santa Maria, CA 93455

$3,250 - $3,850

3 Beds

Property Management Companies in Santa Maria, CA

Greystar
Greystar
  • 3,437

    Communities

  • 948,731

    Units

  • 872

    Cities

4 Communities in Santa Maria
The Towbes Group, Inc.
The Towbes Group, Inc.
  • 11

    Communities

  • 2,017

    Units

  • 5

    Cities

3 Communities in Santa Maria
Afton Properties
Afton Properties
  • 22

    Communities

  • 6,961

    Units

  • 14

    Cities

2 Communities in Santa Maria
CONAM Management Corporation
CONAM Management Corporation
  • 164

    Communities

  • 30,835

    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 September 2025.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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Equal Housing Opportunity