
Cheap Apartments for Rent in Santa Maria, CA from $600 (9 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Santa Maria.


Centennial Gardens Apartments

Villa del Sol Senior Apts 55+

La Vista
Santa Maria, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Santa Maria?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap Santa Maria Studio Apartments | $1,639 | $950 | $2,082 |
| Cheap Santa Maria 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,009 | $981 | $2,600 |
| Cheap Santa Maria 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,590 | $2,079 | $2,995 |
| Cheap Santa Maria 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,281 | $2,283 | $4,334 |
| Cheap Santa Maria 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,906 | $3,513 | $4,300 |
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Santa Maria, CA Local Guide

- Santa Maria Neighborhoods
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Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Santa Maria, CA
Pricing Updated: 11/03/2025Current apartment rentals in the Santa Maria, CA area range in price from $950 to $4,334 with an overall median price of $3,432. The three Santa Maria neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Downtown Orcutt at $1,795, Old Mill at $950, and The Enclave at Harp Springs at $1,795. Here is today’s list of the top 7 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Santa Maria Apartments for rent:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Orcutt | $3,195 | $1,795 | 10 |
| Old Mill | $3,195 | $950 | 14 |
| The Enclave at Harp Springs | $3,195 | $1,795 | 14 |
| Blosser Southeast | $3,513 | $950 | 66 |
| Harvest Glen | $3,513 | $950 | 69 |
| South West Santa Maria | $3,513 | $950 | 67 |
| Outer Santa Maria | $3,906 | $950 | 88 |
Cheapest Available Santa Maria Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in Santa Maria, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at Sierra Sands in the Harvest Glen neighborhood priced from $981. Centennial Gardens Apartments in the Harvest Glen neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 2 Beds apartment currently listed from $1,136. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Santa Maria apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Sands | 1 Bedroom 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $981 |
| Centennial Gardens Apartments | Magnolia | 2BR,2BA | $1,136 |
| La Vista | Studio | Studio,1BA | $1,493 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Maria, CA
As of November 03, 2025 the best value apartment in the Santa Maria area is the $2.51 price per square foot Sundrop Model at Centennial Gardens Apartments in the in the Harvest Glen neighborhood starting from $3,513. The second greatest value Santa Maria apartment is the 3 BR (D2) + Garage Model at Elements Apartments starting at $3,495 with a $2.55 price per square foot in the Old Mill neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Santa Maria apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centennial Gardens Apartments | Sundrop | 4BR,2BA | $2.51 |
| Elements Apartments | 3 BR (D2) + Garage | 3BR,3BA | $2.55 |
| St Claire | 3x2 Mahogany Finish | 3BR,2BA | $2.43 |
| Refugio | Monterey | 3BR,2.5BA | $2.61 |
| Montiavo | Calabria | 2BR,2BA | $2.54 |
| Sierra Sands | 3 Bedroom 2 Bath | 3BR,2BA | $2.12 |
| Azure Apartments | 2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom | 2BR,2BA | $2.82 |
| Park Avenue Arms Apartments | 2 Beds, 2 baths | 2BR,2BA | $2.33 |
| Hancock Terrace Apartments | Deco | 1BR,1BA | $2.91 |
| Amara Apartments | 1x1 DS | 1BR,1BA | $2.74 |
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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.
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!
Explore Santa Maria, CA Rentals by Map
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Getting Around Santa Maria, CA
Walk Score®
58 / 100
Somewhat Walkable
Some errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
53 / 100
Bikeable
Some bike infrastructure
What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?
- Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
- Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
- Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Santa Maria Apartments
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Santa Maria?
The cheapest apartment in Santa Maria is Sierra Sands which is listed at $981, while the average apartment in Santa Maria costs $3,432.
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 48 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 $864 which is $2,568 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Santa Maria.
Expert Rental Resources
Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips
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.

Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Back in the day when I rented one of my first apartments, the property didn’t even have laundry in the building. Now, rental properties are often competing against each other to provide the best amenities.

How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Everything is a negotiation in real estate!

The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters
Written by: Trey Huguley
The move-in inspection checklist is a crucial tool for both tenants and landlords. This checklist, provided by the team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, helps document the condition of an apartment at the time of move-in.

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
For many people, obstacles can arise during the rental application process for a variety of issues.




