Housing
Home prices and rent in Santa Maria
Median home values, rents and incomes from the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with California and the U.S.
Census geography: Santa Maria city, California. These survey estimates are not current listing prices.
Santa Maria vs. California and the U.S.
| Santa Maria | California | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $531,700 | $734,700 | $332,700 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $1,925 | $2,036 | $1,413 |
| Median household income | $84,746 | $99,122 | $80,734 |
| Homes owned by occupants | 50% | 56% | 65% |
| Median year built | 1982 | 1976 | 1980 |
Ten years of change
| 2014 | 2019 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $252,200 | $344,100 | $531,700 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $1,160 | $1,414 | $1,925 |
| Median household income | $50,753 | $63,341 | $84,746 |
Fair Market Rents (HUD, fiscal year 2027)
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA · Santa Barbara County. HUD's payment benchmarks for housing programs: typical gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a recent mover, not a listing or an asking rent.
Large figures are the metro-area Fair Market Rent.
Income limits (HUD, fiscal year 2026)
Area median family income: $118,600. Households at or under these incomes can qualify for many housing programs; check each program's own rules.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low income (80%) | $102,000 | $116,600 | $131,150 | $145,700 | $157,400 | $169,050 | $180,700 | $192,350 |
| Very low income (50%) | $63,750 | $72,850 | $81,950 | $91,050 | $98,350 | $105,650 | $112,950 | $120,200 |
| Extremely low income (30%) | $38,300 | $43,750 | $49,200 | $54,650 | $59,050 | $63,400 | $67,800 | $72,150 |
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents and Income Limits, checked October 9, 2026.
Questions
What is the median home value in Santa Maria?
$531,700, according to the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey (5-year estimates), compared with $734,700 in California and $332,700 nationally.
How much is rent in Santa Maria?
Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,925 a month, versus $2,036 statewide.
How much have home values risen in Santa Maria?
The median home value went from $252,200 in 2014 to $531,700 in 2024 (+111%).
What is fair market rent in Santa Maria?
HUD's fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rent for the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA is $2,479 for a studio, $2,711 for one bedroom and $3,106 for two bedrooms. These are HUD program benchmarks, not asking rents.
Are these current market prices?
No. They are survey medians from the Census Bureau, based on a five-year survey period, so they lag today’s listings. They are the most consistent way to compare places and track change over time.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2014, 2019, 2024), Santa Maria city, California. Values are estimates with margins of error.