Cheap Apartments for Rent in Santa Maria, CA from $600 (31 Rentals)

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

property at 329 E Mariposa Way

$1,600

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,600
Total Monthly Price
$1,600

Studio, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Jul 1

329 E Mariposa Way

Santa MariaCA93454

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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La Vista
$1,737 - $3,787
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,737 - $3,787
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

La Vista

740 S Western AveSanta Maria, CA 93458
Affordability
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Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

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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

Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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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
  • Utilities Included
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Vizcaya Apartments
1 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Vizcaya Apartments

1720 S Depot StSanta Maria, CA 93458
  • Utilities Included

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

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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 1-31, 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: 05/27/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Santa Maria, CA area range in price from $1,200 to $3,852 with an overall median price of $3,223. The three Santa Maria neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Downtown Orcutt at $2,161, Old Mill at $1,200, and The Enclave at Harp Springs at $2,095. 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
Downtown Orcutt$3,197$2,1616
Old Mill$3,197$1,2009
The Enclave at Harp Springs$3,197$2,0957
Outer Santa Maria$3,225$1,200117
Blosser Southeast$3,250$1,200104
Harvest Glen$3,250$1,200104
South West Santa Maria$3,250$1,200104

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 $1,200. Villa del Sol Senior Apts 55+ in the Harvest Glen neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $1,225. 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$1,225
Park VistaStudioStudio,1BA$1,400
La VistaStudioStudio,1BA$1,737
Sierra Sands1 Bedroom 1 Bath1BR,1BA$1,820
Hancock Terrace1x1 Deco1BR,1BA$1,899
Park Avenue Arms Apartments1 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$1,900
Amara Apartments1x1 DS1BR,1BA$1,993
Siena ApartmentsCasita1BR,1BA$2,109

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Santa Maria, CA

As of May 27, 2026 the best value apartment in the Santa Maria area is the $2.43 price per square foot Bordeaux Model at Montiavo in the in the Harvest Glen neighborhood starting from $3,287. The second greatest value Santa Maria apartment is the 3 BR Townhome (D3) Model at Elements Apartments starting at $3,100 with a $2.45 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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
MontiavoBordeaux3BR,2BA$2.43
Elements Apartments3 BR Townhome (D3)3BR,3BA$2.45
St Claire3x2Ap T2 - 3X23BR,2BA$2.40
RefugioMonterey3BR,2.5BA$2.61
1009 E Jones St, Unit Bella Villa Apartments1009 E Jones St3BR,2BA$2.71
Sierra Sands3 Bedroom 2 Bath3BR,2BA$2.12
Centennial Gardens ApartmentsMagnolia2BR,2BA$2.22
Cassia ApartmentsTwo Bed Downstairs2BR,2BA$2.63
Park Avenue Arms Apartments2 Beds, 2 baths2BR,2BA$2.56
Villa del Sol Senior Apts 55+Plan 61BR,1BA$2.48

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

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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 $2,109.

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 $1,225, while the average apartment in Santa Maria costs $3,223.

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 57 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 $1,021 which is $2,202 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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This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.

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