Census ACS · #122 MSA
Santa Maria Metro Area
The Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, Ca Metropolitan Statistical Area has 443,975 residents. The median household income is $95,977 and the median home value is $735,700.
443,975
Population
162
People / sq mi
$95,977
Median Income
$735,700
Median Home Value
The Santa Maria CBSA covers 2,734 sq mi of land at 162.4 people per square mile.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 54.3% |
| Black or African American | 1.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.6% |
Economy & Income
$95,977
Median Household Income
$46,679
Per Capita Income
7.6%
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Unemployment
Cost of Living
The Santa Maria metro's price level is 108.8 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 8.8% higher the US average. The local median income of $95,977 has the buying power of $88,216 in average-priced US metros.
108.8
Price Level (US = 100)
$88,216
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$95,977
Nominal Median Income
Housing
$735,700
Median Home Value
$2,050
Median Rent
52.9%
Homeownership
Education
82.1%
High School+
35.9%
Bachelor's+
Commute
2.3%
Drive Alone
12.5%
Work From Home
20.8 min
Avg Commute
18.3%
Foreign Born
Santa Maria spans this state
Nearby metros
Largest cities in California
Largest counties in California
Part of California
Other metros
Metro areas in California
Metro rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
The Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, Ca Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 443,975 according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates, making it the #122 largest CBSA in the US.
The median household income in the Santa Maria metro area is $95,977, with a per capita income of $46,679.
The Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, Ca CBSA spans the state of California.
Where to stay near Santa Maria
Visiting or relocating to the Santa Maria metro area? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the region — live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Santa Maria
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a move to Santa Maria?
Get relocation and cost-of-living insights for the Santa Maria metro by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
More from California
Data for the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, Ca CBSA (42200) from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Core-Based Statistical Areas combine cities, suburbs, and surrounding counties tied together by commuting patterns.
Housing cost is the defining feature of Santa Maria: the median home is valued at $735,700. Santa Maria is a metro area in CA with a population of 443,975.
Income is a real outlier — the median household pulls in $95,977, putting Santa Maria near the top of US metro areas. About 7.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Home prices are steep, with the typical property valued at $735,700, with typical rent around $2,050.
Educational attainment is on the higher side for US metro areas — 35.9% of adults hold a four-year degree, near the national 35.0%.
High housing values reframe the income picture in Santa Maria — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.