Cost of living in Santa Maria, CA — Housing, Rent & Index

The median home value in Santa Maria, CA is $658,222 as of 2026-04. That places Santa Maria above the US average for housing cost, with a cost index of approximately 185 versus a national baseline of 100.

Over the past 12 months, the median home value in Santa Maria has climbed 2.1%, and over the past five years it has averaged +5.9% annual growth. The current price sits +0.0% from its 5-year peak in 2026-04.

Renters pay a median of $2,468 per month in Santa Maria. Rents have changed +1.8% over the last year and averaged +4.5% per year over five years.

Beyond housing, day-to-day costs in Santa Maria are shaped by state and local taxes, utility rates, transportation, and groceries. This page focuses on the housing component, which is the largest single line in most household budgets and the easiest to compare across cities using consistent national data.