
Apartments for Rent in Santa Maria, CA (187 Rentals)


Centennial Gardens Apartments

Refugio

Sierra Sands

Villa del Sol Senior Apts 55+

Azure Apartments

Cassia Apartments

Santa Maria Studios - Seniors 55+

Elements Apartments

Hancock Terrace
Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

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Amara Apartments

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Montiavo

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St Claire

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La Vista

Park Vista

Siena Apartments

Park Avenue Arms Apartments

Knollwood Meadows Apartments

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501 W Cypress St, Unit Do not disturb residents

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471 E Newlove Dr, Unit number will be provided verbally
How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

329 E Mariposa Way

327 W Tunnell St

0 De Armond Pl, Unit A

3533 Satinwood Rd, Unit 2

0 S Lincoln St, Unit D

923 Francis Ln

0 Knightbridge Dr

241 E Rice Ranch Rd

303 E Park Ave

2035 Lassen Dr
Neighborhood & Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent
Master your search for the perfect apartment. Location is everything. Discover how to leverage community insights, public data, and personal visits to make a fully informed decision about where to rent.

0 S E Ave

709 S Lincoln St, Unit 8

0 North St

303 E Park Ave

0 E Newlove Dr

704-706 E Orange St

360 E Foster Rd

570 E Newlove Dr

1390 Yale Pl

713 Vine St
The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour
Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

2935 E Clark Ave

4845 Orcutt Rd

1025 W Boone St

124 E Sunset Ave

1219 Pino Solo Dr

208 E Hermosa St

926 Louisa Terrace

520 E Cypress St

912 Haslam Dr

1711 Adler Ct
Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs
Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.
Santa Maria, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Santa Maria?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria Studio Apartments | $1,692 | $1,200 | $1,995 |
| Santa Maria 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,203 | $1,250 | $2,696 |
| Santa Maria 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,728 | $2,063 | $3,671 |
| Santa Maria 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,298 | $2,785 | $3,700 |
| Santa Maria 4 Bedroom Apartments | $2,999 | $2,999 | $2,999 |
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Santa Maria, CA Local Guide

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A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back
Learn the property manager's true secrets to a zero-deduction move-out. Use this step-by-step guide on documentation, cleaning, and lease-reading to reclaim your security deposit.
Read Article18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property
Tour smarter and choose with confidence. Get the essential 18 questions that reveal the truth about a rental property's maintenance, utilities, and safety.
Read ArticleReal Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University
From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.
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The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.
Santa Maria Overview
The California apartments in Santa Maria present unique opportunities for people who wish to enjoy their leisure time in a culturally diverse city with temperate seasonal weather and day-trip options. If you are thinking about relocating, Santa Maria apartments may deliver the quality of life experience you desire.
What is the history of Santa Maria?
Located in Santa Barbara County in Southern California, Santa Maria traces its rich history back to the Spanish colonial period. Initially occupied by the Chumash native tribe, conquistadors flooded the region during the 18th Century, establishing a mission in 1782 called Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. This pivotal religious and cultural institution played an essential role in the region. The township was surveyed in 1874 and became the County Seat a year later. People routinely gathered for festivals and oak ember barbecues. Santa Maria would emerge as a central location for cattle ranching and farming, before oil was discovered during the 20th Century. Today, it enjoys a thriving economy that blends modern occupations with ranchers and farmers who reside in the neighboring foothills.
How is the weather in Santa Maria?
Summers tend to be hot and long, prompting people in Santa Maria apartments to run air conditioning units during much of July and August. That’s when temperatures typically rise into the 80s and mid-90s. During the fall, temperatures generally drop off by 9 degrees and run in the mid-60s on average. Although usually pleasant, the area does experience occasional upticks into the 80s. Winter months are quite temperate, with the seasonal average hovering around 63 degrees and overnight temperatures rarely dipping below freezing. Spring continues to be pleasant weather, with average highs under 70 degrees and lows of around 50 degrees. The wet season mirrors the low temperatures, with dry, arid summers and the average snowfall is zero.
How do I get around town?
Although passenger vehicles remain the primary mode of transportation in the California community, people living in the Santa Maria apartments have plenty of alternatives. The city of 109,000 has ride-share options such as Uber, Lyft, and traditional yellow taxi cabs. Public transportation includes the Santa Maria Regional Transit, which offers discounted rates for students and seniors. The transit system crisscrosses the city and provides timely and convenient pickup and drop-off locations. Santa Maria is also considered a bicycle-friendly community, providing ample pedestrian sidewalks.
What is the Santa Maria commute like?
Average commute times for people living in Santa Maria apartments and single-family homes run approximately 20 minutes. The drive in Santa Maria is consistently shorter than in the Santa Barbara County metro area and the Golden State overall. It’s also about 5 minutes faster than the U.S. average. Santa Maria is located inland of Route 1, and Highway 101 runs through the western area, where many big box retail outlets are located. Nearly a quarter of residents carpool to work to save money and reduce emissions. Only 2 percent walk or bike to work.
What are the local media outlets?
Residents who take advantage of reasonably priced apartments in Santa Maria have an opportunity to read print newspapers and magazines in their leisure time. Local newsstands and convenience stores carry titles such as Latino Today, Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria Sun, and various state and national publications. The city also enjoys locally based radio stations that include KGDP (Christian Contemporary), KTAP-AM (Mexican), KGZO (Spanish Christian), as well as classic hits from Santa Barbara’s KRUZ, among others.
Why live in Santa Maria, CA?
People gravitate to Santa Maria apartments based on the pleasant weather, cultural diversity, and leisure amenities. The city enjoys lower prices for groceries and consumer goods than the California average. These cost-of-living benefits add to the quality of life experience residents and visitors embrace in Santa Maria.
What Santa Maria landmarks should I see?
The conquistadors and the influx of Spaniards left an indelible mark on the Santa Maria landscape. Its historical landmarks are dominated by religious structures such as the Paroquia de Nossa Senhora das Dores church. However, more modern popular sites include the Santa Maria Pier, Ponta Do Sinó Lighthouse, and Funana Casa da Cultura restaurant, which showcases artifacts.
What is there to do around Santa Maria?
Those who decide to rent apartments in Santa Maria enjoy a wealth of entertainment opportunities. These include live performances at the Pacific Conservatory Theatre and wine tours through Presqu'ile, Rancho Sisquoc, Foxen Vineyard, and the Riverbench Vineyard and Winery, among others. History buffs are fascinated by the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum and the Santa Maria Museum of Flight. Santa Maria apartment residents and visitors also have local live music performances available to them.
Any annual festivals or Santa Maria events to know?
The Santa Maria Fairpark has emerged as a hub for festivals that raise the seasonal pleasure of residents and visitors alike. Ongoing events such as the Day of Hope Car Parade, Foundation Hoedown, Santa Maria County Fair, and the Santa Maria Strawberry Festival are among the many family-friendly celebrations everyday people attend. The city also promotes free concerts in the park, where occupants of Santa Maria apartments can walk or ride their bicycles on weekends. Ranked among the most iconic events, the Annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo has been held for over 80 years.
Where are the nearby vacation spots?
Those who decide to live in Santa Maria apartments place themselves in an enviable location. The commute to some of the nation’s finest beaches is worthwhile. Venice and Santa Monica beaches are less than a four-hour drive. Malibu Beach is just over two hours, depending on the traffic. Traveling to Laguna Beach for a day of surf, sun, sand, and art galleries is an easy day trip. National parks such as Yosemite, Death Valley, and Sequoia National Park are all reasonably distanced for weekend excursions. But California is renowned for its wine trails that are right in the backyard of the Santa Maria apartments.
Where is the best place to move in Santa Maria?
The apartments in Santa Maria tend to be more reasonably priced than many areas in California. That’s largely because the cost of living and housing prices are less expensive. The north end ranks among the prime places to live and rent Santa Maria apartments based on cost. The area trailing through central Santa Maria has a reputation for being hipster trendy. Neighborhoods in the south of the city tend to be more expensive and upscale.
Santa Maria, CAPopulation: 107,408
Ranked #284
in US Census Population by City
Best Local Schools in Santa Maria, CA
Joe Nightingale Elementary
Ernest Righetti High
Lakeview Junior High
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Maria
How much are Studio apartments in Santa Maria?
There are currently 28 Studio Apartments in Santa Maria with rent ranges from $1,200 to $1,995 with an average price of $1,692.
What is the current price range for One Bedroom Santa Maria Apartments for rent?
Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Santa Maria ranges from $1,250 to $2,696 with an average monthly rent of $2,203.
What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Santa Maria cost?
The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Santa Maria range from $2,063 to $3,671. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $2,728.
How expensive are Santa Maria Three Bedroom Apartments?
There are currently 50 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in Santa Maria on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $2,785 to $3,700 - averaging $3,298 for the location.
Expert Rental Resources
The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
Written by: Robin Stewart
Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention
Written by: Robin Stewart
There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
Written by: Robin Stewart
Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.

Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.