Living in Santa Maria, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Santa Maria · Census data 2020–2024
Santa Maria has 110,462 residents with a median age of 29.3. The median household income is $84,746 (15% lower than the California median), the median home value is $531,700, the median rent is $1,925/month.
Santa Maria at a glance
- Population
- 110,462
- Median age
- 29.3State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $84,746State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $531,700State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,925/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 50.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15.7%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Santa Maria a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 28% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 15% lower than the California median; unemployment of 7.3%; a poverty rate of 17.3%.
The weather is best in July to October.
Cost of living in Santa Maria
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Santa Maria the median home value is $531,700, 60% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,925 per month, which is 35.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,331 a month in housing costs.
Santa Maria median household income
The median household income in Santa Maria is $84,746 and the income per person is $27,440. 17.3% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Santa Maria: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 30,482
- Owner-occupied
- 50.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 49.8%
- Vacant
- 3.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 3.70
Santa Maria demographics
- Population
- 110,462
- Median age
- 29.3
- Under 18
- 30.9%
- 65 and older
- 11%
- Households
- 29,505
- Foreign-born
- 33%
- Veterans
- 3.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Santa Maria ›
Education in Santa Maria
15.7% of adults 25 and older in Santa Maria have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 4.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Santa Maria
- Unemployment rate
- 7.3%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 4.7%
- Drive alone
- 71.3%
- Public transit
- 1.8%
- Walk to work
- 1.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.8%
Santa Maria vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria | 110,462 | $84,746 | $531,700 | $1,925 |
| Orcutt | 31,454 | $111,416 | $624,500 | $2,193 |
| Nipomo | 17,516 | $110,022 | $723,700 | $2,106 |
| Guadalupe | 8,566 | $66,930 | $495,600 | $1,732 |
| Woodlands | 2,061 | $136,618 | $1,162,200 | — |
| Blacklake | 983 | $99,417 | $825,600 | $2,403 |
| Callender | 2,230 | $136,346 | $945,400 | $2,540 |
| Los Berros | 145 | $250,001 | — | — |
| Vandenberg AFB | 3,477 | $84,167 | — | $2,747 |
More for people moving to Santa Maria
Santa Maria ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Santa Maria: FAQ
What is the median household income in Santa Maria, CA?
The median household income in Santa Maria is $84,746, 15% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Santa Maria?
The median home value in Santa Maria is $531,700, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Santa Maria?
The median gross rent in Santa Maria is $1,925 per month, about 35.4% of household income.
Is Santa Maria, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 28% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes. Minuses: median household income 15% lower than the California median; unemployment of 7.3%; a poverty rate of 17.3%.
What is the median age in Santa Maria?
The median age in Santa Maria is 29.3 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Santa Maria?
The average commute to work in Santa Maria is 22 minutes; 4.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Santa Maria?
The unemployment rate in Santa Maria is 7.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Santa Maria?
15.7% of adults in Santa Maria have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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