Santa Maria, CA Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Santa Maria, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
in-content-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Santa Maria, California is home to roughly 109,543 residents. The typical household earns $81,237 per year — above the median across cities we track (+12%).
Housing costs are a defining factor for anyone relocating here. The median home value sits at $438,100 (above the multi-city median at +34%), while renters pay a median of $1,768 per month. Buyers should weigh current mortgage rates and local property taxes against these figures before committing.
Cost of housing in Santa Maria
Median home value is $438,100 and median gross rent is $1,768/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
Walkability & transit
Walkability data (Walk Score) will appear here once enrichment is run for Santa Maria.
Climate & home insurance
Climate and flood-risk data (FEMA National Risk Index) will appear here once enrichment is run. Home insurance costs vary widely by region and risk profile.
in-content-mid (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Moving to Santa Maria
Planning a move to Santa Maria? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Santa Maria, CA?
- In Santa Maria, the median home value is $438,100 and median rent is $1,768 per month, against a median household income of $81,237. These figures come from the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Santa Maria?
- A common guideline is that rent should stay under 30% of gross income. With median rent at $1,768/month, that implies an income of about $70,720 to keep housing affordable in Santa Maria.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Santa Maria?
- With a median home value of $438,100 and median rent of $1,768/month, the buy-vs-rent decision in Santa Maria depends on how long you plan to stay, current mortgage rates, and your down payment. Compare monthly mortgage estimates against the rent figure above.