Apartments for Rent in Santa Maria, CA - Rated by Verified Residents

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Average rent in Santa Maria, CA

$2,367/mo Santa Maria, CA average rental price, April 2025

The average monthly rent of apartments in Santa Maria, CA is $2,367.

Santa Maria, CA apartment rent ranges

Santa Maria, CA rent trends

Check out the average rent prices in Santa Maria by neighborhood.

Compared to the national average rent of $1,736, the average rent in Santa Maria, CA is $2,367.

Frequently asked questions

When were prices and availability in Santa Maria, CA last updated?

Prices and availability in Santa Maria, CA were last updated on 17 May 2025.

What are the best apartments in Santa Maria, CA?

The best apartments in Santa Maria, CA are: Siena Apartments, Hancock Terrace Apartments, The Village Townhomes, La Vista and Vandenberg Senior Residence.

What is the average rent in Santa Maria, CA?

The average rent in Santa Maria, CA is $2,360.

What is the price range for a studio apartment in Santa Maria, CA?

The price range for a studio apartment in Santa Maria, CA is between $1,095 and $3,914.

What is the price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Maria, CA?

The price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Maria, CA is between $1,542 and $3,513.

What is the price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Maria, CA?

The price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Maria, CA is between $1,895 and $4,810.

What is the price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in Santa Maria, CA?

The price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in Santa Maria, CA is between $1,368 and $5,032.

What type of rental buildings are in Santa Maria, CA?

In Santa Maria, 49% of the residents are renting compared to 51% owning a home, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Large-scale apartment buildings with more than 50 units represent 12% of Santa Maria’s rentals, 51% are small-scale complexes with under 50 units, and 36% are single-family rentals.

What do typical apartment communities look like in Santa Maria, CA?

The average age of rental buildings in Santa Maria is 31 years old, with 35% being newer apartment buildings completed since 2000. The average height of apartment buildings in the city is 2 stories, of which all are garden-style apartment communities, none are mid-sized buildings, and none are high-rises. These characteristics describe large-scale apartment communities of 50 apartments or more.

What apartment floorplans are common in Santa Maria, CA?

Rental apartments in Santa Maria come in a range of sizes and floorplans. Studio apartments represent 10% of units for rent, ideal for singles, renters on a budget and people who value central locations more than space. Rentals with 1-bedroom floorplans make up 37% of the total apartments in the city, while 2-bedroom floorplans represent around 40% of all rentals in Santa Maria. The rest are larger floorplans with 3 bedrooms or more, typically preferred by families, larger households or roommates sharing space.

Santa Maria, CA in the news

16.7 Million Americans Are Renting Alone; Salt Lake City Saw the Highest Surge

Lone renters in Santa Maria, CA — who make up 9% of the metro’s population of renters — have an annual income of $61,912, which is about 42% higher than what the average renter makes ($36,456 per year).

Living in Santa Maria, CA

Santa Maria is a gorgeous small town in the central part of California, near the Santa Barbara wine country. It’s known for lush wineries, an amazing restaurant scene, and being a part of the Santa Maria/Santa Barbara metropolitan area. The climate there is considered Mediterranean, so local renters enjoy temperatures that are fairly mild year-round. For beach lovers who rent in Santa Maria, the town is only 19 miles from the coast to Pismo Beach. That makes it a popular renting spot for those who surf the waves and love a nice suburb with an above-average school system that appeals to growing families. What’s more, those renting in Santa Maria enjoy being close to many restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, seaside piers, and hiking trails.

Renting in Santa Maria, CA

Santa Maria’s population is almost equally split between renters and homeowners. The type of apartments for rent in Santa Maria tends to lean towards Spanish colonial architecture, which is very popular in this part of California. In this densely suburban area, renters can look forward to very community-centric rental apartments, where neighbors tend to be friendly with each other. Most rental communities in Santa Maria offer lots of amenities like year-round pools, grilling stations, well-appointed recreation centers, and clubhouses that renters can book for parties. There are plenty of community parks near rental properties in Santa Maria including Preisker Park, which has a playground area for kids, picnic tables, and open green spaces. Coffee shops and restaurants are close to most apartments for rent in Santa Maria that are mostly located right off of Highway 101 that runs through town going north and south.

Shopping in Santa Maria, CA

Santa Maria Town Center is an indoor traditional shopping mall that’s popular with local renters. It’s home to more than 60 stores including Macy’s and other smaller national chains for home goods, clothing, and electronics. Other shopping venues located near rental apartments are the Santa Maria Plaza Shopping Center and Western Village Shopping Center, which has small eateries for a quick bite. For grocery shopping, renters head to Spouts Farmers Market for organic goods, the St. Maria Supermarket to shop local and Vons or Albertsons, both of which are national grocery chains. There is a Target, Costco, and a Walmart for big-box stores right in the center of town.

Transportation in Santa Maria, CA

It’s easy to get in and out of Santa Maria for local renters who commute into Santa Barbara for work via Highway 101, which is is the main road that goes through the town. For renters who prefer public transportation, there is the Santa Maria Area Transit (SMATthat operates bus routes all over town. For air travel, there is a small airport called the Santa Maria Public Airport that operates domestic flights connecting local renters to Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. For more options in domestic or international travel, renters can go to the Santa Barbara Airport that’s a little over an hour away by car.

Look for apartments near me

Are you looking to land that one apartment near you that ticks all the boxes? Now you can browse through available RentCafe apartment listings in your area, rated and reviewed by verified residents. Comparing the size, price, amenities and location of apartments for rent near you is easier than ever. Do you feel like expanding the search beyond your neighborhood and ZIP code? Browse apartments for rent in your city and state to find the best fit, wherever you are in the U.S. Somewhere out there is the perfect apartment just waiting for you.

Whether you're looking for a studio, an apartment with one or more bedrooms, or maybe you're upgrading to a luxury apartment or need to acommodate a pet, RentCafe allows you to easily search for a rental near you based on your criteria, anywhere in the U.S. So, let's find your new home today!

RentCafe is your one-stop shop for finding a great new apartment in Santa Maria, CA. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in Santa Maria, CA, and view detailed information about available rentals including floor plans, pricing, photos, amenities, interactive maps, and thorough property descriptions. Property owners and managers are one click away, so feel free to contact them and find out all you need to know about the apartment you’re interested in. Browse Santa Maria, CA apartments with rents starting from $1,095 and submit your rental application today!

Finding a home nearby is easier than you think. Check out our Apartments Near Me page and take your pick!

1 BED	$2,078+
2 BEDS	$2,362+
3 BEDS	$3,437+

STUDIO	Ask for Pricing
1 BED	$1,883+
2 BEDS	$2,337+

STUDIO	$1,363+
1 BED	$1,542+
2 BEDS	$1,905+

1 BED	$2,078+
2 BEDS	$2,362+
3 BEDS	$3,437+

2 BEDS	$2,772+
3 BEDS	$3,172+

1 BED	$1,257
2 BEDS	$1,511
3 BEDS	$1,746

2 BEDS	Call for pricing
3 BEDS	Call for pricing

1 BED	$2,142+
2 BEDS	$2,564+

Apartments for Rent in Santa Maria, CA 83 Rentals Available

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