Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$3,124$37,488 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in Santa Maria, CA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Santa Maria, CA
Calculations assume standard housing affordability guidelines where shelter costs consume no more than 30% of gross income, based on full-time employment of 2,080 annual working hours.
| Bedroom Type | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | Min. Annual Income | Hourly Wage (40h/wk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $2,459 | $29,508 | $98,360 | $47.29/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $2,746 | $32,952 | $109,840 | $52.81/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $3,124 | $37,488 | $124,960 | $60.08/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $4,075 | $48,900 | $163,000 | $78.37/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $4,647 | $55,764 | $185,880 | $89.37/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Santa Maria, CA
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Santa Maria, CA?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Santa Maria, CA is $3,124 per month ($37,488 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Santa Maria, CA?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $3,124/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $60.08 per hour ($124,960/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Santa Maria, CA?
Official 2026 HUD rents in Santa Maria, CA are: Studio: $2,459/mo, 1-Bedroom: $2,746/mo, 2-Bedroom: $3,124/mo, 3-Bedroom: $4,075/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $4,647/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Santa Maria, CA?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $84,746/year ($7,062/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 44.2% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Santa Maria, CA?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $3,124/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($3,124 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $124,960 per year.