Living in Santa Maria, CA
Santa Maria is the 289th-largest city in the US, home to about 111,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (108.8 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 111,390+1.5% since 2020
- Median home value
- $531,7006.3 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,925/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $84,746median, per year
- Price level
- 108.8US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 65° / 73°lows 41° / 55°
- Average commute
- 22 min5% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: Santa Barbara County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 220 ft
Metro area: Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Cost of living in Santa Maria
The median home in Santa Maria is worth $531,700 and the median household earns $84,746 a year, so a typical home costs about 6.3 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,925 a month, about 27% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area at 108.8, with housing at 151.4 and goods at 105.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $81,600 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in Santa Maria?
Santa Maria weather
Average highs run from 65°F in January to 73°F in July, and January nights average 41°F. It gets 13 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. The most comfortable months are February to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Santa Maria
People and work
The median resident is 29.3 years old, and 16% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 50% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 22 minutes; 5% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 29.324th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 16%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 50%of households
- People per sq mile
- 4,88322.8 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%1% walk, 0.4% bike
- Unemployment
- 7.3%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 17.3%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1982median year
Who moves to Santa Maria, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Anaheim (Orange County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Anaheim (Orange County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Santa Barbara County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: drought, landslide, wildfire, inland flooding.
Home prices
+2.3% in a year
Up 44% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
45% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Santa Maria
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Santa Maria
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria Public Airport SMX | 4 mi | 13,525 |
| San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport SBP | 23 mi | 366,428 |
| Santa Barbara Municipal Airport SBA | 50 mi | 696,396 |
| Meadows Field Airport BFL | 85 mi | 195,148 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Frost dates and fall color in Santa Maria
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before February 4, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 25 and the first frost comes around December 13.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Santa Maria Public Airport, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Santa Maria.
Wildfire smoke in Santa Maria
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Santa Maria on about 34 days a year, including about 9 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Santa Maria
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 29,505 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Santa Maria
Downtown Santa Maria is in these districts. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria-Bonita Elementary School District | K to 8 | 17,408 | 21 | 21.2 |
| Santa Maria Joint Union High School District | 9 to 12 | 8,930 | 4 | 21.7 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Lucia Mar Unified School District (9,591 students), Orcutt Union Elementary School District (4,911 students), Guadalupe Union Elementary School District (1,323 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Santa Maria's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Santa Maria's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Santa Rosa, CA62% matchCompare
- El Cajon, CA59% matchCompare
- Sacramento, CA55% matchCompare
- Rancho Cordova, CA54% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Santa Maria
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Santa Maria
- Alta Sierra Ski Resort 118 miles
- Mount Waterman 148 miles
- Buckhorn Ski Club 149 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Santa Maria
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data 10 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 65°F.
Cons
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 9% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
Santa Maria report card from locals
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Cities near Santa Maria
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara, CA | 56 mi | 86,422 | $1,570,800 | 108.8 | Compare |
| Ventura, CA | 82 mi | 109,914 | $827,300 | 110.5 | Compare |
| Bakersfield, CA | 86 mi | 422,165 | $371,700 | 100.9 | Compare |
| Oxnard, CA | 89 mi | 199,651 | $652,700 | 110.5 | Compare |
| Thousand Oaks, CA | 105 mi | 122,230 | $991,600 | 110.5 | Compare |
| Simi Valley, CA | 105 mi | 124,861 | $823,800 | 110.5 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Santa Maria with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Santa Maria a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 10 comfortable months a year, short commutes; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes. Compare Santa Maria side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Santa Maria?
The Census Bureau estimates Santa Maria had 111,390 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 109,695 in April 2020 (+1.5%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Santa Maria?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $81,600 in the Santa Maria area. The median household here earns $84,746.
When is the best time to visit Santa Maria?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 73°F and January 65°F for daytime highs.
What county is Santa Maria in?
Santa Maria is in Santa Barbara County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Santa Maria in?
Santa Maria is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Santa Maria?
About 220 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Santa Maria. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Santa Maria Public Airport, CA station; snowfall from Twitchell Dam, CA. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.