Santa Maria, CA—93455
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Santa Maria, CA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Santa Maria, CA is $699,000, with a year-over-year change of -1.2%. This indicates that home prices in Santa Maria, CA are decreasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 1.7%, suggesting an increase housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $699,000 | -1.2% |
| Single Family | $710,000 | -0.8% |
| Condos | $422,000 | -1.6% |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | N/A | N/A |
2 Bed | $498,000 | -1.6% |
3 Bed | $675,000 | -1.0% |
4 Bed | $769,000 | -0.9% |
| 5 Bed | $887,000 | -1.7% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Santa Maria, CA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Santa Maria, CA is $2,930, with a year-over-year rent change of -3.6%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Santa Maria, CA is studios: $1,170, 1-bedrooms: $2,000, 2-bedrooms: $2,530, 3-bedrooms: $3,270, 4-bedrooms: $3,850. The most common rental property sizes in Santa Maria, CA are 3-bedroom and 2-bedroom, accounting for 38.9% and 35.0% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,950 | $2,930 |
| Studio Rent | $950 | $1,170 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $2,050 | $2,000 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $2,350 | $2,530 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $3,400 | $3,270 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $3,650 | $3,850 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Santa Maria, CA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Santa Maria, CA is 50. This is a increase of 7.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 30.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $767,000 | -1.0% |
Listing Count | 73 | -11.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.4% | -11.0% |
Days on Market | 50 | 7.0% |
Demographics — Santa Maria, CA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Santa Maria, CA has a population of 44,400, which has decreased by -1.7% over the past 5 years. Santa Maria, CA is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 23.5% of the population. The area has a moderately educated workforce, with 31.6% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 8.4% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 44,400 | -1.7% |
% Under 18 | 23.5% | 1.7% |
% Seniors | 19.2% | 12.9% |
% WFH | 8.4% | 33.3% |
% w/ College Degree | 31.6% | 12.1% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Santa Maria, CA is a predominantly white area, with 46.8% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 15.4% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Santa Maria, CA is hispanic, making up 41.1% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 13.4% of the population in Santa Maria, CA, and this percentage has increased by 8.9% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 46.8% | -15.4% |
% Black | 1.9% | 46.2% |
% Hispanic | 41.1% | 18.1% |
% Asian | 5.4% | 17.4% |
% Foreign Born | 13.4% | 8.9% |
Mortgage and Risk — Santa Maria, CA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 656 mortgage originations in Santa Maria, CA, of which 78.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 59.0%, with 23.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Santa Maria, CA. Investor activity is low, as 2.0% of loans were by investors. 17.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting many homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 656 |
% Conventional Loans | 78.0% |
% Government Loans | 22.0% |
% Investor Loans | 2.0% |
% Second Loans | 0.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 17.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Santa Maria, CA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Santa Maria, CA under the Section 8 program is 10.2%. This is considered low, suggesting that the neighborhood is sparsely composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. In Santa Maria, CA, all tracked home sizes have HUD payment amounts above market rent, suggesting strong Section 8 opportunity across the board.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 382 |
Total Units Section 8 | 382 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 10.2% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 88.0% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $850 | $2,050 | $2,900 |
| 2 Bedroom | $920 | $2,350 | $3,270 |
| 3 Bedroom | $930 | $3,400 | $4,330 |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,180 | $3,650 | $4,830 |
Affordability — Santa Maria, CA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 5.8 |
| Median Home Price | $699,000 |
| Median Household Income | $109,000 |