Market Intelligence Report — CA-200

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Monthly housing intelligence, market trends, and trusted local expertise.

Ref. No: 2026-CA-08
As of the latest 2026 data
Cooling

Median Listing

$1.70M
-10.5% YoY

Pending Ratio

0.35
+1.8% YoY

Active Inventory

727
+7.1% YoY

Median DOM

58 Days
-4.9% YoY

Primary Intelligence Tool — Sold Score™

Will your home sell in today's cooling Santa Maria-Santa Barbara market?

Sold Score™ analyzes 40+ local data points to estimate your home's probability of sale in the next 60 days across Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA.

Free ReportNo Sign-up~60 Seconds

The Santa Maria-Santa Barbara market is characterized as Cooling, with a pending ratio of 0.35 indicating a measured pace of demand absorption relative to available inventory. Active listings have expanded by 7.1% over the past year, contributing to increased supply. The median listing price has experienced a notable decline of 10.5% year-over-year, alongside a 0.0% month-over-month change.

Local Market Signals

Source: FRED (St. Louis Fed)

Local economic trends can influence how quickly homes sell and how much competition sellers may face.

Job Market

4.5%-0.4 pp YoY

Unemployment rate · Jul 2026

Shows whether local employment conditions are supporting buyer demand.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED (St. Louis Fed).

Population & Migration

442,065-0.2% YoY

Resident population · Jan 2025

Shows whether the area is gaining or losing potential housing demand.

U.S. Census Bureau via FRED (St. Louis Fed).

Future Housing Supply

Data not yet available.

Shows whether future inventory pressure may increase.

Market Analysis

What's moving the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara market right now.

Inventory levels in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara market have expanded, with active listings increasing by 7.1% and new listings by 22.2% over the past year. Concurrently, the median listing price has demonstrated downward pressure, registering an 10.5% reduction year-over-year. The median price per square foot has also contracted by 11.6% in the past year, while median days on market saw a slight reduction of 4.9% over the same period. The pending ratio, at 0.35, reflects demand absorption lagging supply, despite a modest 1.8% year-over-year increase from a low base.

Historical Analysis

Market Trends

Median Price

$1.70M+0.0% MoM

Active Inventory

727+7.1% YoY

Days on Market

58-4.9% YoY

Sold Score™

49+1.8% YoY

Sold Score™ Over Time

Market liquidity index • 36 months

49
Sep 23Aug 26

Price & Days on Market

Median listing vs market velocity

Price DOM
Sep 23Aug 26

Inventory Dynamics

Total active listings vs new monthly supply

Active New listings
Sep 23Apr 24Nov 24Jun 25Jan 26Aug 26

Sourced from Realtor.com RDC Inventory Core Metrics, supplemented by the Primpted research desk. Updated As of the latest 2026 data.

Market Signals & Indicators

Negotiating Leverage

With a pending ratio of 0.35 and an increase in active listings, buyers are encountering an environment that allows for more measured decision-making. The expansion of available inventory and the decline in median prices suggest that the market is experiencing less pressure on pricing, offering more latitude for price discipline. The elevated share of price reductions at 17.9% further underscores a shift in negotiating dynamics.

Luxury Segment

The average listing price has declined by 17.0% year-over-year, and the median price per square foot has contracted by 11.6% over the past year. This softening at higher price points, alongside a substantial spread between average ($3,857,122) and median ($1,695,000) listing prices, indicates a particular deceleration within the luxury segment.

Supply Dynamics

727 active listings represent the current floor, with new supply arriving at roughly 308 per month.

Pricing Pressure
17.9%

of active listings carry a price reduction, +1.5% from prior period.

$/Sq Ft
$1K

Median price per square foot has moved -11.6% year-over-year.

Absorption
0.35

Pending-to-active ratio — Cooling.

Recommended For This Market

Cooling

Selling in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA? Homes here are taking 3 days less to sell than last year.

Buyers have leverage in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA. Homes that sell are the ones priced and presented for today's conditions, not last year's.

Buyer Demand Index
35%
Median Days on Market
58 days
Inventory YoY
+7%

In a buyer's market, strategy beats timing. See how your home scores in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA and what moves the number.

See my Sold Score & selling strategy

Prefer the data first? Get the monthly Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA briefing and watch the market before you list.

How the Sold Score works →

Agents: no featured expert covers Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA yet — claim this market →

How these recommendations are chosen →

The Monthly Briefing

Stay ahead of the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara market.

One email per month: median price, inventory, days on market, and curated expert commentary — straight from the Primpted data desk.

Track your ZIP

Get the Sold Score for your exact ZIP code in your inbox each month.

One email per month when your ZIP's Sold Score is updated. Unsubscribe anytime.

Metro Demographics

Metro Area
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
CBSA Code
42200
State
CA

ZIPs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Sorted by active inventory · click a ZIP for its full report