Cheap Apartments for Rent in Santa Maria, CA from $1,200 (33 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Santa Maria.

property at 825 Raaberg Way

$1,295 - $1,700

Studio To 1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Sep 1

825 Raaberg Way

Santa MariaCA93458
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La Vista
$1,632 - $5,808
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

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$1,632 - $5,808
Total Monthly Price
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Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

La Vista

740 S Western AveSanta Maria, CA 93458
Affordability
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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

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property at 1025 W Boone St

$1,795 - $2,150

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Sep 9

1025 W Boone St

Santa MariaCA93458
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Amara Apartments
$1,947 - $2,592
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Total Monthly Price

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$1,947 - $2,592
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Amara Apartments

329 W Carmen LnSanta Maria, CA 93458
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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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424 East Mill Street
1 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

424 East Mill Street

418-424 E Mill StSanta Maria, CA 93454
Student Housing

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.

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Arbor Ridge
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Arbor Ridge

330 E Enos DrSanta Maria, CA 93454
  • Utilities Included
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Gateway Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Gateway Apartments

101 N BroadwaySanta Maria, CA 93454
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Vizcaya Apartments
1 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Vizcaya Apartments

1720 S Depot StSanta Maria, CA 93458
  • Utilities Included

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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Hummel Village
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Hummel Village

4454-4468 Hummel DrOrcutt, CA 93455
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included
Showing Results 1-33, Page 1 of 1

Santa Maria, CA Local Guide

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Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Santa Maria, CA

Pricing Updated: 08/27/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Santa Maria, CA area range in price from $1,200 to $4,500 with an overall median price of $2,546. The three Santa Maria neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Blosser Southeast at $2,526, Harvest Glen at $2,526, and South West Santa Maria at $2,526. Here is today’s list of the top 7 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Santa Maria Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Blosser Southeast$2,526$1,200111
Harvest Glen$2,526$1,200111
South West Santa Maria$2,526$1,200111
Outer Santa Maria$2,544$1,200135
Downtown Orcutt$2,695$1,99514
Old Mill$2,695$1,20016
The Enclave at Harp Springs$2,695$1,44515

Cheapest Available Santa Maria Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Santa Maria, CA is a Studio unit found at Santa Maria Studios - Seniors 55+ in the Santa Maria neighborhood priced from $1,200. Villa del Sol Senior Apts 55+ in the Santa Maria neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,250. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Santa Maria apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Santa Maria Studios - Seniors 55+StudioStudio,1BA$1,200
Villa del Sol Senior Apts 55+Plan 61BR,1BA$1,250
Park VistaStudioStudio,1BA$1,400
La VistaStudioStudio,1BA$1,632
Elements ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,795
Hancock Terrace0x1 SpeakStudio,1BA$1,799
Cassia ApartmentsOne Bed B1BR,1BA$1,852
Azure ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,882
Park Avenue Arms Apartments1 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$1,900
Amara Apartments1x1 US1BR,1BA$1,947

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Maria, CA

As of August 27, 2026 the best value apartment in the Santa Maria area is the $2.28 price per square foot 3x2Ap T2 - 3X2 Model at St Claire in the in the Santa Maria neighborhood starting from $2,864. The second greatest value Santa Maria apartment is the Monterey Model at Refugio starting at $3,250 with a $2.61 price per square foot in the Santa Maria neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Santa Maria apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
St Claire3x2Ap T2 - 3X23BR,2BA$2.28
RefugioMonterey3BR,2.5BA$2.61
1009 E Jones St, Unit Bella Villa Apartments1009 E Jones St3BR,2BA$2.71
MontiavoUmbria2BR,2BA$2.66
Centennial Gardens ApartmentsMagnolia2BR,2BA$2.29
Parke West Apartments2bd/2ba2BR,2BA$2.95
Park Avenue Arms Apartments2 Beds, 2 baths2BR,2BA$2.56
Siena ApartmentsVilla1BR,1BA$3.22
Amara Apartments1x1 DS1BR,1BA$3.01
Santa Maria Studios - Seniors 55+StudioStudio ,1BA$2.82

Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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Real 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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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.

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.

Santa Maria, CA
Population: 107,408

Ranked #284

in US Census Population by City

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Best Local Schools in
Santa Maria, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Santa Maria Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Santa Maria?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Santa Maria is under $1,947.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Santa Maria?

The cheapest apartment in Santa Maria is Villa del Sol Senior Apts 55+ which is listed at $1,250, while the average apartment in Santa Maria costs $2,546.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Santa Maria?

Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 17 regular apartments in Santa Maria that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Santa Maria?

Cheap apartments in Santa Maria have an average cost of $844 which is $1,702 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Santa Maria.

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

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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Written by: Robin Stewart

The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

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Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags

Written by: Robin Stewart

Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

decorative image for First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently article

First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

Written by: Robin Stewart

Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.

decorative image for Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It article

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.