# Average Rent in Santa Maria, CA

> How much is rent in Santa Maria, CA? $2,172 median across 45 units in 4 buildings, each with a daily price history and a citywide trend, tracked daily.

Canonical: https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/

Latest included observation: November 15, 2026

## What is the average rent in Santa Maria, CA?

The average listed apartment rent in Santa Maria, CA is $2,288 per month, as of November 15, 2026. This sample includes 45 priced apartments in 4 buildings. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.

We use published total monthly rent when known and base rent otherwise. Unknown fees remain unknown. Included building observations run from November 9, 2026 through November 15, 2026. Buildings without a qualifying price do not count in this sample. The guide directory can include more buildings.

4 apartment buildings, 45 units. Recorded asking prices and price history where available.

[Browse apartments in Santa Maria, CA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/apartments/)

Avg Rent

$2,288/mo

median $2,172

market average

Cheapest

$1,503/mo

La Vista

Properties

4

tracked daily

Units

45

available now

[View rent trends and price history](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/trends/) [Explore Santa Maria, CA on the interactive map](https://average-rent.com/search/#city=santa-maria-ca)

[Santa Maria, CA Resident Access](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/resident-access/): City Club members share insider gate codes, parking links, and amenity tips. View

Analysis

## Rent Price Breakdown

Compare pricing across all 4 properties in Santa Maria, CA.

Timeframe

## Average rent trend, last 3 months

All bedroom types, citywide. Choose a window above to scope the view.

$2,277

Average rent today

Line chart of average rent in Santa Maria, CA over the last 3 months. Started at $2,409, ended at $2,277.

### Average rent trend, last 3 months

| Date or category | Average monthly rent (USD) |
| --- | --- |
| Aug | 2,409 |
| Aug | 2,504 |
| Aug | 2,557 |
| Aug | 2,535 |
| Sep | 2,482 |
| Sep | 2,440 |
| Sep | 2,488 |
| Sep | 2,436 |
| Oct | 2,279 |
| Oct | 2,231 |
| Oct | 2,175 |
| Oct | 2,273 |
| Oct | 2,157 |
| Nov | 2,277 |

[Full Santa Maria, CA price history](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/trends/)

### Average Rent by Property

### Starting Price vs Average

### Rent by Bedroom Count

### Price per Square Foot

## Santa Maria, CA Rent Prices

All 4 properties ranked by lowest available rent.

[#1 3.2 (6)](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/vandenberg-senior-residence-santa-maria-ca/): Vandenberg Senior Residence 1316 S Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA From $1,295/mo as of Nov 1 Avg $1,295 4 units

[#2 4.3 (233)](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/la-vista-santa-maria-ca/): La Vista 740 S Western Ave, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA From $1,503/mo Avg $1,715 15 units

[#3 3.8 (36)](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/vizcaya-apartments-santa-maria-ca/): Vizcaya Apartments 1720 S Depot St, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA From $1,862/mo as of Nov 7 Avg $2,340 4 units

[#4 3.6 (30)](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/the-village-townhomes-santa-maria-ca/): The Village Townhomes 1004 W Cook St, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA From $1,895/mo as of Nov 8 Avg $1,895 1 units

[#5 3.5 (41)](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/amara-apartments-santa-maria-ca/): Amara Apartments 329 W Carmen Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA From $2,035/mo Avg $2,142 9 units

[#6 4.3 (148)](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/siena-apartments-santa-maria-ca/): Siena Apartments 1245 Sonya Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA From $2,161/mo Avg $2,433 9 units

[#7 4.6 (9)](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/centennial-gardens-santa-maria-ca/): Centennial Gardens 800 W Battles Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA From $2,296/mo as of Nov 7 Avg $2,959 11 units

| # | Property | From | Avg | $/sqft | Rating | Units |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Vandenberg Senior Residence 1316 S Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/vandenberg-senior-residence-santa-maria-ca/) | $1,295 as of Nov 1 | $1,295 | $3.80/ft² | 3.2 (6) | 4 |
| 2 | [La Vista 740 S Western Ave, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/la-vista-santa-maria-ca/) | $1,503 | $1,715 | $2.88/ft² | 4.3 (233) | 15 |
| 3 | [Vizcaya Apartments 1720 S Depot St, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/vizcaya-apartments-santa-maria-ca/) | $1,862 as of Nov 7 | $2,340 | $2.44/ft² | 3.8 (36) | 4 |
| 4 | [The Village Townhomes 1004 W Cook St, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/the-village-townhomes-santa-maria-ca/) | $1,895 as of Nov 8 | $1,895 | $2.74/ft² | 3.6 (30) | 1 |
| 5 | [Amara Apartments 329 W Carmen Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/amara-apartments-santa-maria-ca/) | $2,035 | $2,142 | $2.86/ft² | 3.5 (41) | 9 |
| 6 | [Siena Apartments 1245 Sonya Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/siena-apartments-santa-maria-ca/) | $2,161 | $2,433 | $3.22/ft² | 4.3 (148) | 9 |
| 7 | [Centennial Gardens 800 W Battles Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/centennial-gardens-santa-maria-ca/) | $2,296 as of Nov 7 | $2,959 | $2.56/ft² | 4.6 (9) | 11 |

## Rent & Price History by Building

Compare apartment listings by price, bedrooms, and neighborhood.

[Browse all apartments](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/apartments/)

[Vandenberg Senior Residence](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/vandenberg-senior-residence-santa-maria-ca/): ![Vandenberg Senior Residence apartments in Santa Maria, CA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/19573?w=600) 3.2 (6) 1316 S Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454, USA From $1,295/mo prices as of Nov 1 4 units

[La Vista](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/la-vista-santa-maria-ca/): ![La Vista apartments in Santa Maria, CA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/8629?w=600) 4.3 (233) 740 S Western Ave, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA From $1,503/mo 15 units

[Vizcaya Apartments](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/vizcaya-apartments-santa-maria-ca/): ![Vizcaya Apartments apartments in Santa Maria, CA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/8639?w=600) 3.8 (36) 1720 S Depot St, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA From $1,862/mo prices as of Nov 7 4 units

[The Village Townhomes](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/the-village-townhomes-santa-maria-ca/): ![The Village Townhomes apartments in Santa Maria, CA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/8636?w=600) 3.6 (30) 1004 W Cook St, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA From $1,895/mo prices as of Nov 8 1 units

[Amara Apartments](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/amara-apartments-santa-maria-ca/): ![Amara Apartments apartments in Santa Maria, CA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/Ab43m-t0g1WdrXR9mvmX-5A6WD9CXUXzvm0UeWjEX4eaRH_a3W9uBdDIARH1OIyY4elmCM4JBcLtA53mmwKvTi-8WHCoY7ENqOg7C1uncQEoiPp4sA0nqkoaebW28MTv3kXs1X5e6etB9vst9w0nS3rZUOpwfk8jLX5e4WIcbnjrROmj3RX8GCU9irBVbxoxI0Lt50F3-Cy-53gYy0UW8jCHgXS5fDPzS-3UEchvrrGx790W_UOy7JknSwKVt5RLNgf_76rsMEg-QptA3VKdZ_h4Vdjj6ccJXFHIuKVH60BcdGY7rp_Gr4Yt9vXvs1HKprXHLlkzt13CvgtWFgEvQUOjbbUcz3EmV5vTUE00vwDHtAGCh3W_SVQA1R_F-jmFIIpJUfC6yQeIUAGnE_lMHZCZgbO-LC51ddrv-oxKKsupIYS17tCt57W2ZFxVKFWu3Wz79dk0l778nmwNxQHnoKSvxPEz6rYQSpPZT7ex3ojbbPusBN0V41wKZyLtXME4HNtLxCAU50hizrM9AQ0XUkgqM3B2eMkN1B5cfe0ZljLrD1i0n6N-j16RvnbyvhqZ1bCVn5CMzc2r?w=600) 3.5 (41) 329 W Carmen Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA From $2,035/mo 9 units

[Siena Apartments](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/siena-apartments-santa-maria-ca/): ![Siena Apartments apartments in Santa Maria, CA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/8635?w=600) 4.3 (148) 1245 Sonya Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93458, USA From $2,161/mo 9 units

[Browse all Santa Maria, CA apartments](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/apartments/)

By Area

## Santa Maria, CA neighborhoods

Tracked buildings across 2 named neighborhoods. Pick one to see its apartments.

[Santa Maria 93458 8](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/apartments/?neighborhood=Santa%20Maria%2093458)[Santa Maria 93454 3](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/apartments/?neighborhood=Santa%20Maria%2093454)

## Santa Maria, CA Average Rent Prices 2026

The average listed rent in Santa Maria, CA is **$2,288 per month**, based on 45 units across 4 apartment communities. Prices range from $1,503 at La Vista to $3,321 at Montiavo.

### Average Rent by Bedroom Type

| Type | Avg Rent | Starting From | Units |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Studio | $1,543/mo | $1,503/mo | 5 |
| 1 Bed | $1,956/mo | $1,624/mo | 11 |
| 2 Bed | $2,327/mo | $1,829/mo | 22 |
| 3 Bed | $3,219/mo | $3,039/mo | 7 |

We schedule daily price checks. The included observations can have different dates. Request an area we do not cover so we can review it for coverage.

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Preview

Market Context

## Who rents in Santa Maria, CA, and what they pay

Tracked one-bedroom rent in Santa Maria, CA averages **$1,956/mo** , with two-bedroom units averaging **$2,327/mo**. At the local median household income of **$84,617**, that works out to **32% of gross income**, above the 30 percent affordability ceiling, a stretched-budget market.

The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2023 release pegged median gross rent in Santa Maria, CA at **$1,842/mo**. The [current tracked market average](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/trends/) runs **24% higher than** that benchmark, reflecting both two to three years of rent growth and the fact that the Census figure covers all renter-occupied housing in Santa Maria, CA while the tracked market average covers units currently listed in larger apartment communities.

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

Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.

Minimum to afford average rent

$92,000/year

Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $2,288/mo.

Comfortable income

$110,000/year

Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.

To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($1,503/mo), you need to earn at least **$60,000/year**.

Median household income in Santa Maria, CA is **$84,617** , about 23% below the comfortable-living threshold.

## Cost of living in Santa Maria, CA

Overall prices in Santa Maria, CA runs above the national average by about 14% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 113.7, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by Santa Maria, CA's regional price parities.

| Category | Monthly estimate |
| --- | --- |
| Rent (market average) | $2,288 |
| Utilities | $754 |
| Groceries | $567 |
| Transportation | $1,798 |
| Healthcare | $877 |
| Other goods and services | $1,403 |
| Estimated total | $7,687/mo |

Population

109,880

Median household income

$84,617

Census median rent

$1,842/mo

Census rent burden

33.6%

Median age

29.3

Mean commute

22 min

## Methodology

Rent data

We use listed asking rents and schedule daily data updates. Individual buildings can have different verification dates. Check the building or unit page for its latest price and availability.

Cost of living

Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.

Salary to live comfortably

We estimate annual income by dividing annual rent by 30 percent for the affordability figure and 25 percent for the comfortable-income figure. These estimates are a guide, not a guarantee of rental approval.

Demographic figures

Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.

Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.

Compare

## Nearby cities in California

How Santa Maria, CA rent compares to other markets in the state.

| City | Avg Rent | vs Santa Maria, CA | Properties |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Los Angeles, CA](https://average-rent.com/city/los-angeles-ca/) | $3,277 | +43% | 50 |
| [San Diego, CA](https://average-rent.com/city/san-diego-ca/) | $3,375 | +48% | 36 |
| [Anaheim, CA](https://average-rent.com/city/anaheim-ca/) | $2,926 | +28% | 34 |
| [EL Cajon, CA](https://average-rent.com/city/el-cajon-ca/) | $2,270 | -1% | 33 |
| [Antioch, CA](https://average-rent.com/city/antioch-ca/) | $2,368 | +3% | 32 |
| [Hayward, CA](https://average-rent.com/city/hayward-ca/) | $2,762 | +21% | 32 |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the average rent in Santa Maria, CA?

The average listed apartment rent in Santa Maria, CA is $2,288 per month, as of November 15, 2026. This sample includes 45 priced apartments in 4 buildings. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.

### What is the median rent in Santa Maria, CA?

The median asking rent in Santa Maria, CA is $2,172 per month, computed from 45 priced listings; check the observation dates shown on this page. The average is $2,288/mo; the median resists skew from luxury listings.

### What is the cheapest apartment rent in Santa Maria, CA?

The lowest available rent in Santa Maria, CA starts at $1,503 per month. Confirm current availability, fees, and lease terms with the selected listing.

### How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Maria, CA?

1-bedroom apartments in Santa Maria, CA average $1,956/mo. The lowest listed 1-bedroom starts at $1,624/mo across 11 units tracked.

### How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Maria, CA?

2-bedroom apartments in Santa Maria, CA average $2,327/mo. Units start from $1,829/mo across 22 units currently listed.

## Rent Trends in Santa Maria, CA

Track how apartment prices are changing over time.

[View Rent Trends](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-maria-ca/trends/)

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