Santa Maria, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: November 18, 2025 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Santa Maria is $2,318, a 1.92% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,363.
Studio Apartments at $1,715 offer the most budget-friendly option with 417 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 639 square feet for $1,957, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $2,440 offer 892 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,289 sq ft) for $3,191, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Santa Maria, CA
Last updated: November 18, 2025
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,318 | 823 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,715 | 417 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,957 | 639 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $2,440 | 892 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,191 | 1,289 sq. ft. |
Santa Maria, CA rent trends
Rental prices in Santa Maria, CA have decreased by 1.92% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,363 to $2,318.
What's the typical rent budget in Santa Maria, CA?
The largest share of rentals in Santa Maria, CA (38%) fall between $2,001-$2,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Santa Maria, CA?
14,202 or 49% of the households in Santa Maria, CA are renter-occupied while 14,890 or 51% are owner-occupied.
How Santa Maria Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Santa Maria | $2,318 |
| Los Angeles | $2,765 |
| East Bay | $2,670 |
| San Francisco | $3,598 |
| San Diego | $2,968 |
| Oakland | $2,635 |
| Sacramento | $1,906 |
| Long Beach | $2,670 |
| San Jose | $3,134 |
| Fresno | $1,622 |
| Tulare | $1,693 |
| Santa Barbara, CA | $2,900 |
| Ventura, CA | $2,809 |
| Goleta, CA | $3,498 |
| Paso Robles, CA | $2,402 |
| Lompoc, CA | $2,074 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $2,864 |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | $1,981 |
| Atascadero, CA | $2,212 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Santa Maria apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.