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Santa Maria

Santa Barbara County, CA

STR Investment Grade

Transparent Scoring
F
27/100
AVOID
Score Breakdown
💰Cash-on-Cash
5/35
🏠Affordability
2/25
📅Year-Round Income
15/15
🤝Landlord Friendly
2/10
📈Room to Grow
3/15
Cash-on-Cash
-6.3%
Negative Cash Flow
Median Home
$641K
Very Expensive
Room to Grow
3/15
Crowded Market

STRs Generally Permitted

STRs generally allowed with standard permits

No major restrictions known. Standard registration and tax collection may be required. Check local ordinances for specific requirements.

Permit: Moderate
AI-generated regulation data · Regulations change frequently
📋 Before You Invest
Even in STR-friendly markets, confirm the details for your specific property. Call the Santa Maria City Clerk or Planning & Zoning Department and ask:
1. Are short-term rentals (under 30 days) allowed at [your address]?
2. What permits or licenses are required?
3. Are there owner-occupancy requirements?
4. Any caps on rental nights per year or number of permits?
Regulation details vary by neighborhood and zoning district — always verify for your specific address.

Why Santa Maria?

Urban Market

What drives short-term rental demand here

🏙️
Urban Hub

Business travel, events, and tourism create consistent year-round occupancy in city centers.

🔥
High Demand Zone

Strong traveler demand supports a competitive market with proven revenue potential.

Will This Deal Work?

Investment Grade
F
Negative Cash Flow
CoC: -6.3%
Can You Pay the Bills?
Risky
May struggle with payments
THE BOTTOM LINE

High risk. Risk factors outweigh potential returns based on available data.

💵
$183
Avg ADR
📅
74%
Occupancy
💰
$4,063
Monthly Revenue
🏠
$641K
Median Price

Market estimates · Updated Feb 2026

📊 Income by Property Size

Monthly revenue estimates by bedroom count

1BR
$2,235
2BR
$3,040
3BR
$4,068
4BR
$5,476
5BR
$6,705
6BR+
$7,934
⭐ Best

🏠 Top Amenities for This Market

Add these to boost your revenue

MUST HAVEParking
+18%
MUST HAVEWalkability
+15%
HIGH IMPACTWorkspace
+12%
HIGH IMPACTFast WiFi
+10%
NICE TO HAVERooftop/Patio
+8%

🎯 Your Next Steps

1
Search for 6BR+ properties
Best income potential at $7,934/month
2
Add a Parking
Boost revenue by +18%
3
Target $5,079/month
Top 25% performer income goal

📋 Regulation Status

LegalPermit: Moderate

Regulations vary by city and county. Always verify local STR ordinances, permit requirements, and zoning laws before purchasing.

Research Comparable Listings

See active short-term rentals in this market

View Listings on Airbnb

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Take the Next Step

Find homes, agents, and lenders in this market

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📊

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Free STR calculator with comp data for any address

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Santa Maria, California is rated F for Airbnb investment with a score of 27/100 (AVOID). The market has an average daily rate (ADR) of $183, 74% occupancy, and estimated monthly STR revenue of $4,063. Median home value is $640,957 with a cash-on-cash return of -6.3%. STR regulation status: Legal. Data powered by Edge by Teeco using estimated market data.