2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Santa Maria, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Maria, California as of October 2026. That's +15% higher than the citywide median of $2,509 and +74% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $1,171 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | California City | $1,230 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,370 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 2 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 3 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 4 | Montecito | $4,540 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Santa Maria.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nipomo, CA | 11.9 mi | $2,540 | $-350 (-12%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 19.6 mi | $2,630 | $-260 (-9%) |
| Grover Beach, CA | 21.5 mi | $2,410 | $-480 (-17%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 21.5 mi | $2,700 | $-190 (-7%) |
| Pismo Beach, CA | 25.5 mi | $2,920 | +$30 (+1%) |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 31.6 mi | $2,655 | $-235 (-8%) |
| Goleta, CA | 36.3 mi | $3,310 | +$420 (+15%) |
| Los Osos, CA | 40.7 mi | $2,490 | $-400 (-14%) |
| Atascadero, CA | 43.7 mi | $2,200 | $-690 (-24%) |
| Isla Vista, CA | 50.2 mi | $2,547 | $-343 (-12%) |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 54.9 mi | $3,812 | +$922 (+32%) |
| Paso Robles, CA | 57.8 mi | $2,320 | $-570 (-20%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Santa Maria — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Maria?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Santa Maria, California is $2,890 per month. This is +15% higher than the citywide median of $2,509.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Santa Maria?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $115,600 ($9,633/month gross), which works out to roughly $55.58/hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Maria expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Santa Maria's 2-bedroom median of $2,890 is +74% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 93th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Santa Maria rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Santa Maria ranks #241 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Santa Maria?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Nipomo ($2,540), Arroyo Grande ($2,630), Grover Beach ($2,410).