1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Santa Maria, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Maria, California as of October 2026. That's +2% higher than the citywide median of $2,509 and +84% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Santa Maria
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Santa Maria
Compare Santa Maria's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $938 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $4,030 |
| 2 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 3 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Santa Maria.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nipomo, CA | 11.9 mi | $1,940 | $-620 (-24%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 19.6 mi | $2,000 | $-560 (-22%) |
| Grover Beach, CA | 21.5 mi | $1,840 | $-720 (-28%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 21.5 mi | $2,390 | $-170 (-7%) |
| Pismo Beach, CA | 25.5 mi | $2,230 | $-330 (-13%) |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 31.6 mi | $2,025 | $-535 (-21%) |
| Goleta, CA | 36.3 mi | $2,940 | +$380 (+15%) |
| Los Osos, CA | 40.7 mi | $1,900 | $-660 (-26%) |
| Atascadero, CA | 43.7 mi | $1,680 | $-880 (-34%) |
| Isla Vista, CA | 50.2 mi | $1,843 | $-717 (-28%) |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 54.9 mi | $3,382 | +$822 (+32%) |
| Paso Robles, CA | 57.8 mi | $1,770 | $-790 (-31%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Santa Maria — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Maria?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Santa Maria, California is $2,560 per month. This is +2% higher than the citywide median of $2,509.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Santa Maria?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $102,400 ($8,533/month gross), which works out to roughly $49.23/hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Maria expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Santa Maria's 1-bedroom median of $2,560 is +84% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Santa Maria rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Santa Maria ranks #281 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Santa Maria?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Nipomo ($1,940), Arroyo Grande ($2,000), Grover Beach ($1,840).