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Rental Market Trends in Santa Maria, CA

Updated July 2026

The average rent in Santa Maria, CA is $1,981/month.

Rent in Santa Maria is 19% higher than the national average rent of $1,663/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.

$1,981/month

Average Rent

649 Sq Ft

Average Size

-0%

Change / Year

338

Available Apartments

Santa Maria rent varies by unit size and layout:

  • Studio apartments in Santa Maria average $1,612 per month.
  • One-bedroom apartments in Santa Maria average $1,981 per month.
  • Two-bedroom apartments in Santa Maria average $2,383 per month.
  • Three-bedroom apartments in Santa Maria average $3,298 or more per month.

Average Rent by Home Type

Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$1,612/month
432 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,981/month
649 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,383/month
857 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,298/month
1,277 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,819/month
184 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,672/month
877 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,441/month
1,270 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$3,777/month
1,858 Sq Ft
View Santa Maria Apartments

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

Rents have remained stable over the past year, with little overall movement.

Market Trends Over Time

July 2026

2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time

Rent Ranges in Santa Maria, CA

July 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

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

Because the average rent in Santa Maria is $1,981, you’ll want to make about $6,603 per month or $79,236 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

338 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.

View the Santa Maria Area Guide

Apartment Averages

Compare Rent Trends Nearby

Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.

  • Arroyo Grande

    Arroyo Grande

  • Grover Beach

    Grover Beach

Apartment Communities in Santa Maria We Think You'll Love

Las Brisas

Las Brisas

983 W Dan Blough Dr,
Santa Maria, CA 93455

1-3 Beds | $2,485 - $3,526

Centennial Gardens Apartments

Centennial Gardens Apartments

800 W Battles Rd,
Santa Maria, CA 93458

2-4 Beds | $2,403 - $3,258

Sierra Sands

Sierra Sands

327 Plaza Dr,
Santa Maria, CA 93454

1-3 Beds | Call for Rent

Refugio

Refugio

2299 Carrasco Way,
Santa Maria, CA 93455

3 Beds | $3,300 - $3,700

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Santa Maria?

The average rent in Santa Maria is $1,981 per month, which is 19.1% higher than the national average of $1,663.

What is the average rent for a house in Santa Maria?

The average rent for a house in Santa Maria, CA is $3,441 per month.

Are rents going up or down in Santa Maria?

Rents in Santa Maria, CA are relatively stable, with minimal month-over-month change.

What rent range is most common in Santa Maria?

In Santa Maria, CA, 54% of apartments fall above $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.

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 June 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity

Equal Housing Opportunity

© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity