Cost of Living in Santa Maria, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,050 (excluding rent), and $3,207 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,287 (excluding rent), and $5,744 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.18 $20.18

$15.13 $15.13

$30.26 $30.26

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$69.2 $69.2

$39.54 $39.54

$98.8 $98.8

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.58 $11.58

$10.46 $10.46

$15.11 $15.11

Cappuccino

$4.69 $4.69

$3.89 $3.89

$6.8 $6.8

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.95 $1.95

$3.9 $3.9

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2 $2

$1.75 $1.75

$2.92 $2.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.07 $6.07

$5.06 $5.06

$18.22 $18.22

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.19 $8.19

$6.91 $6.91

$12.28 $12.28

Milk (1 liter)

$1 $1

$0.83 $0.83

$1.6 $1.6

White Bread (500g)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.95 $1.95

$3.55 $3.55

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.74 $4.74

$1.51 $1.51

$9.71 $9.71

Eggs

$3.58 $3.58

$1.73 $1.73

$8.19 $8.19

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.05 $10.05

$8.67 $8.67

$17.34 $17.34

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.65 $8.65

$6.7 $6.7

$14.43 $14.43

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.82 $16.82

$4.37 $4.37

$32.75 $32.75

Apples (1kg)

$3.76 $3.76

$3.28 $3.28

$5.54 $5.54

Banana (1kg)

$1.7 $1.7

$1.16 $1.16

$4.46 $4.46

Oranges (1kg)

$3.57 $3.57

$1.97 $1.97

$6.63 $6.63

Tomato (1kg)

$3.28 $3.28

$1.93 $1.93

$5.42 $5.42

Potato (1kg)

$3.07 $3.07

$1.13 $1.13

$6.79 $6.79

Onion (1kg)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.11 $1.11

$4.44 $4.44

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.23 $1.23

$2.94 $2.94

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.35 $1.35

$0.8 $0.8

$5.04 $5.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.34 $11.34

$10.2 $10.2

$13.26 $13.26

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$7.86 $7.86

$24.55 $24.55

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.74 $1.74

$4.32 $4.32

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.43 $3.43

$1.46 $1.46

$8.06 $8.06

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.05 $2.05

$1.28 $1.28

$2.05 $2.05

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.37 $3.37

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.91 $1.91

$3.19 $3.19

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.55 $24.55

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.12 $1.12

$1.29 $1.29

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$36.8K $36.8K

$35.1K $35.1K

$37.1K $37.1K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$29.2K $29.2K

$26.7K $26.7K

$37.7K $37.7K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$164 $164

$99.3 $99.3

$619 $619

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$51.1 $51.1

$35.56 $35.56

$86.4 $86.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$83.2 $83.2

$49.45 $49.45

$182 $182

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.71 $42.71

$17.38 $17.38

$49.66 $49.66

Cinema Ticket

$14.24 $14.24

$10.8 $10.8

$29.45 $29.45

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$961 $961

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.2K $13.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.8 $56.8

$36.48 $36.48

$90.2 $90.2

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.23 $40.23

$20.12 $20.12

$60.4 $60.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.6 $71.6

$44.41 $44.41

$109 $109

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$78.8 $78.8

$59.5 $59.5

$198 $198

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,249 $2,249

$2,131 $2,131

$2,408 $2,408

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,085 $2,085

$2,034 $2,034

$2,136 $2,136

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,284 $3,284

$3,145 $3,145

$3,353 $3,353

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,160 $3,160

$3,058 $3,058

$3,262 $3,262

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,732 $8,732

$4,797 $4,797

$10.4K $10.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,592 $8,592

$4,164 $4,164

$10.5K $10.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,238 $4,238

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.19

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Santa Maria, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Santa Maria, CA, United States is often a surprisingly balanced choice for travelers, expats, and digital nomads seeking value without sacrificing basic comforts. If you compare major metros to the south coast, you may notice steadier housing options and everyday expenses, with a genuine sense of practicality. You’ll find a tight-knit community, farmers markets, and vendors offering affordable prepared foods, plus a range of rental types near work centers or transit. Outside peak tourist seasons, affordability feels steadier rather than flashy. Tip: Budget with a simple weekly plan and test neighborhoods on weekend strolls.

Daily life here, Santa Maria, CA, United States living cost shapes practical choices for housing, food, and getting around. Expect a mix of single-family homes, modest apartments, and shared options in and around downtown, Orcutt, or near campus areas. Grocery stores and farmers markets offer fresh produce and affordable prepared foods for quick meals. For transport, a car remains common, but you’ll appreciate walkable cores and bus routes; bike-friendly streets and nearby coworking spaces support remote work. Tip: cluster errands by neighborhood to save time and fuel.

Quality of life hinges on fit and planning. Consider a simple budgeting framework that focuses on essentials, flexible spending, and savings, then adjust as you settle in. Neighborhood fit matters: Downtown offers quick access to shops and coworking; Orcutt and the Eastside feel calmer and more affordable; coastal day trips are easy for weekend escapes. For saving, shop at farmers markets, batch meals, and use public transit or carpool for longer trips. Seasonality affects services and crowds, so plan around harvest times and local events to get the best value. Tip: build a short neighborhood trial list and compare vibe, commute, and services before committing.