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Rental Market Trends in Santa Maria, CA

Updated September 2026

The average rent in Santa Maria, CA is $1,959/month.

Rent in Santa Maria is 18% higher than the national average rent of $1,664/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.

$1,959/month

Average Rent

649 Sq Ft

Average Size

-1.2%

Change / Year

271

Available Apartments

Santa Maria rent varies by unit size and layout:

  • Studio apartments in Santa Maria average $1,610 per month.
  • One-bedroom apartments in Santa Maria average $1,959 per month.
  • Two-bedroom apartments in Santa Maria average $2,398 per month.
  • Three-bedroom apartments in Santa Maria average $3,204 or more per month.

Average Rent by Home Type

Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$1,610/month
432 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,959/month
649 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,398/month
857 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,204/month
1,290 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,527/month
170 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,399/month
670 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,342/month
1,073 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$4,481/month
1,837 Sq Ft
View Santa Maria Apartments

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

In the past year, rent has decreased by 1.2%, which averages out to $22 less per month.

Market Trends Over Time

September 2026

2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time

Rent Ranges in Santa Maria, CA

September 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
25% $1,501 - $2,000/month
56% Above $2,000/month

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

Because the average rent in Santa Maria is $1,959, you’ll want to make about $6,530 per month or $78,360 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

271 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.

  • Orcutt

    Orcutt

    Avg Rent: $2,489/month

  • Arroyo Grande

    Arroyo Grande

    Avg Rent: $1,542/month

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 | $2,510 - $3,526

Refugio

Refugio

2299 Carrasco Way,
Santa Maria, CA 93455

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

Villa del Sol Senior Apartments

Villa del Sol Senior Apartments

1311 W Battles Rd,
Santa Maria, CA 93458

Studio - 1 Bed | $1,350 - $1,550

Centennial Gardens Apartments

Centennial Gardens Apartments

800 W Battles Rd,
Santa Maria, CA 93458

2-4 Beds | $2,296 - $3,610

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Santa Maria?

The average rent in Santa Maria is $1,959 per month, which is 17.7% higher than the national average of $1,664.

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

The average rent for a house in Santa Maria, CA is $3,342 per month.

Are rents going up or down in Santa Maria?

Rents in Santa Maria, CA are decreasing, with prices down 1.2% year-over-year and $22 less per month.

What rent range is most common in Santa Maria?

In Santa Maria, CA, 56% 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 September 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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Equal Housing Opportunity

© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity