Cheap Apartments for Rent in Santa Maria, CA from $600 (9 Rentals)

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

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

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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
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Vizcaya Apartments
1 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Vizcaya Apartments

1720 S Depot StSanta Maria, CA 93458
  • Utilities Included

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.

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Hummel Village
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Hummel Village

4454-4468 Hummel DrOrcutt, CA 93455
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included

Santa Maria, CA Local Guide

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Written By:
Staff Writer
Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Santa Maria, CA

Pricing Updated: 07/04/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Santa Maria, CA area range in price from $950 to $5,417 with an overall median price of $2,952. The three Santa Maria neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Blosser Southeast at $950, South West Santa Maria at $950, and Downtown Orcutt at $1,795. 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$2,857$95072
South West Santa Maria$2,857$95072
Downtown Orcutt$2,950$1,79514
Outer Santa Maria$2,950$95094
Harvest Glen$3,000$95075
Old Mill$3,025$95019
The Enclave at Harp Springs$3,025$1,79518

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 Harvest Glen neighborhood priced from $950. Sierra Sands in the Harvest Glen neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 3 Beds apartment currently listed from $1,365. 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$950
Sierra Sands3 Bedroom 2 Bath3BR,2BA$1,365
La VistaStudioStudio,1BA$1,402

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Maria, CA

As of July 04, 2025 the best value apartment in the Santa Maria area is the $2.42 price per square foot Burgundy Model at Montiavo in the in the Harvest Glen neighborhood starting from $3,147. The second greatest value Santa Maria apartment is the 3X2 Pine Finish Model at St Claire starting at $3,108 with a $2.47 price per square foot in the Harvest Glen 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.
MontiavoBurgundy3BR,2BA$2.42
St Claire3X2 Pine Finish3BR,2BA$2.47
Sierra Sands2 Bedroom 1 Bath2BR,1BA$2.09
Parke West Apartments2bd/2ba2BR,2BA$3.17
Bradley Garden ApartmentsPlan C2BR,2BA$2.60
Parke Orcutt Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$3.21
Hancock Terrace ApartmentsDeco1BR,1BA$2.86
Siena ApartmentsCasita1BR,1BA$3.07
Amara Apartments1x1 DS1BR,1BA$2.89
Santa Maria Studios - Seniors 55+StudioStudio ,1BA$2.23

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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.

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

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 $1,992.

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

The cheapest apartment in Santa Maria is Sierra Sands which is listed at $1,643, while the average apartment in Santa Maria costs $2,952.

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 77 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 $420 which is $2,532 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.

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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

Written by: Cheryl Bowman

A fantastic way to save money and enjoy a built-in community is to share an apartment. However, a bad roommate situation can turn your dream rental into a nightmare.

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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Written by: Marie Brown

You’ve scrolled through countless listings, walked through a blur of rentals, and finally found what feels like the one. The pictures? Fantastic. The neighborhood seems just right.

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Know Your Budget: Calculating What You Can Realistically Afford When Renting

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting an apartment or house isn’t just about looking through online ads, choosing a few apartments or homes you want to tour, filling out an application, and putting down a deposit. Those things are all necessary and important.

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The Freedom of Short-Term Leases: Exploring the Advantages for Renters

Written by: Bobbi Jackson

If you’re looking to relocate right now, a popular solution that may best fit your current rental needs is a short-term lease.