Cost of Living in Santa Maria, California
In Santa Maria, the median household income is $84,746 and the median gross rent is $1,925/mo, with a median home value of $531,700. Source: Census Bureau ACS, 2020-2024 estimates.
- Median household income
- $84,746
- Median gross rent
- $1,925/mo
- Median home value
- $531,700
- Population
- 110,462
How Santa Maria compares to the California average
| Measure | Santa Maria, CA | California statewide | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $84,746 | $99,122 | -14.5% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,925 | $2,036 | -5.5% |
| Median home value | $531,700 | $734,700 | -27.6% |
Statewide, California prices average 110.7 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (2024), where the U.S. average is 100.
Housing affordability in Santa Maria
- Salary needed for median rent
- $77,000
- Rent burden at median income
- 27.3%
- Est. affordable home price
- $309,148
So that $1,925/mo is 30% of gross income
Share of the median household income spent on median rent (30%+ = cost-burdened)
At median income, 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI
The median home value in Santa Maria is $531,700 — +72.0% above what the median household income supports under these assumptions.
Estimates from documented formulas — see methodology. Not financial advice.
Cost of living in other California cities
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.