At a Glance
Median Income
$84,617
$26,772 per capita
Home Value
$478,200
Zillow: $665,729
Median Rent
$1,842/mo
33.6% of income on rent
Violent Crime
665/100K
1,961/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
15.1%
63.3% high school+
Unemployment
7.1%
11.2% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
30.7%
14.3% smoking rate
How Santa Maria Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Santa Maria's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Santa Maria a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.6 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Santa Maria residents earn a median household income of $84,617 , which is 13% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $26,772. The unemployment rate stands at 7.1% (97% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 11.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 17,497 business establishments, including 1,253 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Santa Maria is $478,200 , 70% above the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $665,729. Median rent is $1,842/month, with 33.6% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 110.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1981.
Safety & Crime
Santa Maria reports 665 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 75% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 1,961/100K. The murder rate is 3.6/100K.
Education
15.1% of adults in Santa Maria hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(55% below the national average).
63.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.5/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Santa Maria has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C).
Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 13.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 49.
Data Overview
People
Population109,880
Median Age29.3 yrs
Density4,817/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born32.7%
Veterans4.3%
Economy
B+
Median Income$84,617
Per Capita$26,772
Unemployment7.1%
Poverty11.2%
County GDP$41,425M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,340
Housing
B
Home Value$478,200
Rent$1,842
Ownership51.2%
Zillow$665,729
Housing Units29,860
Rent Burden33.6%
Crime
F
Violent665/100K
Property1,961/100K
Murder3.6/100K
Assault415/100K
Burglary314/100K
Health
Obesity30.7%
Diabetes13.2%
Smoking14.3%
Heart Disease6.1%
Premature Death6,123/100K
Climate
Avg Temp59°F
Rain13.3 in/yr
AQI49 (Good)
Elevation207 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+15.1%
High School+63.3%
Graduate+4.1%
School Score4.5/10
Community
2024 VoteR 35% / D 62%
Commute22 min
Broadband90.2%
Internet Speed81 Mbps
EV Stations57
Libraries20
Did You Know?
Santa Maria was founded in 1874.
The median home in Santa Maria was built in 1981.
The nearest airport is San Luis Obispo County Regional (20 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.489 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
11.4% of the population has a disability.
32.7% of residents are foreign-born.
There are 1,253 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 36 fatal vehicle crashes.
364 declared natural disasters on record.