Studio Apartment Rent in Santa Maria, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Santa Maria, California as of October 2026. That's +10% lower than the citywide median of $2,509 and +75% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Taft | $870 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 7 | California City | $940 |
| 8 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 9 | Paradise | $970 |
| 10 | Eureka | $980 |
| 11 | Oroville | $985 |
| 12 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,050 |
| 14 | Anderson | $1,060 |
| 15 | Shafter | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $3,570 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 13 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 14 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
| 15 | Saratoga | $2,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Santa Maria.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nipomo, CA | 11.9 mi | $1,740 | $-517 (-23%) |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 19.6 mi | $1,800 | $-457 (-20%) |
| Grover Beach, CA | 21.5 mi | $1,650 | $-607 (-27%) |
| Lompoc, CA | 21.5 mi | $2,100 | $-157 (-7%) |
| Pismo Beach, CA | 25.5 mi | $2,000 | $-257 (-11%) |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 31.6 mi | $1,820 | $-437 (-19%) |
| Goleta, CA | 36.3 mi | $2,600 | +$343 (+15%) |
| Los Osos, CA | 40.7 mi | $1,710 | $-547 (-24%) |
| Atascadero, CA | 43.7 mi | $1,510 | $-747 (-33%) |
| Isla Vista, CA | 50.2 mi | $1,535 | $-722 (-32%) |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 54.9 mi | $3,000 | +$743 (+33%) |
| Paso Robles, CA | 57.8 mi | $1,590 | $-667 (-30%) |
Studio rent in Santa Maria — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Santa Maria?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Santa Maria, California is $2,257 per month. This is +10% below the citywide median of $2,509.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Santa Maria?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $90,280 ($7,523/month gross), which works out to roughly $43.40/hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Maria expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Santa Maria's studio median of $2,257 is +75% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 94th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Santa Maria rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Santa Maria ranks #272 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Santa Maria?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Nipomo ($1,740), Arroyo Grande ($1,800), Grover Beach ($1,650).