By Richard Gonzalez, CA DRE 01429838 · The Gonzalez Group at Compass ·
This is our November 2026 report on the Santa Maria housing market. As of November 1, 2026, the most recent figures published by Redfin and the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) cover sales through September 2026, so that is the data used here. We will update this series each month as new figures are released.
| Measure | Latest | A year earlier / change |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price, 3 months ending Sept 2026 (Redfin, city) | $654,688 | +3.2% year over year |
| Homes sold in September 2026 (Redfin) | 128 | 114 a year earlier (+12.3%) |
| Median days on market (Redfin) | 31 | 31 a year earlier |
| Average sale-to-list price (Redfin) | 100.2% | −0.54 points |
| Homes sold above list price (Redfin) | 50.0% | +0.9 points |
| Homes with price drops (Redfin) | 28.6% | +9.2 points |
| Median sale price per square foot (Redfin) | $368 | −3.8% year over year |
| Redfin Compete Score | 81 of 100, "very competitive" | — |
| Santa Barbara County median, existing single-family homes, Sept 2026 (C.A.R.) | $1,458,320 | $1,100,000 a year earlier (+32.6%); $1,335,000 in August (+9.2%) |
Sources: Redfin, Santa Maria, CA housing market (all home types; "Based on Redfin calculations of home data from MLS and/or public records"; latest published data as of November 1, 2026 covers September 2026; viewed November 1, 2026). California Association of REALTORS®, county sales activity (median sold price of existing single-family homes, September 2026; viewed November 1, 2026). Figures are the sources' own estimates and may be revised.
Santa Maria is still one of the most competitive markets on the Central Coast. Redfin rated Santa Maria "very competitive," with a Compete Score of 81. Half of the homes sold went for more than list price, and the average home sold for 100.2% of its list price. Redfin's summary says homes receive about two offers on average, the typical home sells for about 1% above list and goes pending in around 27 days, and "hot homes" can sell for about 2% above list and go pending in around 11 days.
Prices are up modestly, and sales are up. The three-month median sale price rose 3.2% from a year earlier to $654,688. Redfin counted 128 sales in September 2026, compared with 114 a year earlier.
But price cuts are more common. 28.6% of listings had a price drop, up 9.2 points from a year earlier. In a market where well-priced homes still draw multiple offers, that tells us buyers are passing on homes priced above recent sales.
Don't use the county number for Santa Maria. C.A.R.'s Santa Barbara County single-family median was $1,458,320 in September, up 32.6% from a year earlier. That figure includes the South Coast, including Santa Barbara, Montecito and Goleta, where prices are far higher, and a monthly county median can swing with the mix of high-end sales. It says very little about values in Santa Maria, which is why we focus on city-level data and, for your own home, on nearby comparable sales.
Price per square foot dipped. The median price per square foot was $368, down 3.8% from a year earlier, while the median price rose. That points to a shift in the mix of homes that sold rather than a broad change in value.
Citywide numbers show direction, not your home's value. Start with our Santa Maria home value page or request a free pricing analysis based on recent sales near you. Learn more about the area on our Santa Maria real estate page. Se habla español: Katie Bautista, a bilingual REALTOR® on our team, focuses on Santa Maria and Orcutt.
Is the Santa Maria housing market competitive? Yes. Redfin rated Santa Maria "very competitive" (Compete Score 81) in its latest data, with 50% of homes selling above list price and an average sale-to-list ratio of 100.2%.
What is the median home price in Santa Maria? Redfin reported a median sale price of $654,688 for the three months ending September 2026, up 3.2% from a year earlier (all home types).
Why is the Santa Barbara County median so much higher than Santa Maria? The county figure includes the South Coast, such as Santa Barbara and Montecito, where prices are much higher. Use city-level data and nearby comparable sales for Santa Maria.
Why is this November report using September data? As of November 1, 2026, September 2026 is the most recent month Redfin and C.A.R. have published. We update the report as new data is released.
Team sales figures: Gonzalez Group team sales, CRMLS, 2004–present. Market figures are third-party estimates as cited and may be revised by the source. General information only, not legal or tax advice. Richard Gonzalez, REALTOR®, CA DRE 01429838 · Compass, CA DRE 01991628 · Equal Housing Opportunity.
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