148 movers in Novato
"Highly recommended! The moving team was skilled, punctual, and maintained a positive attitude throughout the entire move. They even accommodated some last-minute changes without any issues. I am extremely satisfied with their service and will defi..."
"We got the best price from Pete, but not the best service. First of all, he wasn’t upfront with the fact that our belongings would be in storage until he got a driver. Our boxes were not tagged nor did we get a receipt or any manifest with the lis..."
"I was greatly impressed with the service we received from Cardinale Moving. They visited our house the day before the move, quoted us a fair price and helped pack some difficult items. The next day the moving team arrived on time and cheerfully an..."
"We used Carney’s Full Service Movers for both packing and moving in July 2025 and are very happy with their service. From the initial consultation/estimate to the two days of packing and moving and beyond, the customer service was fantastic. The ..."
"I used Integrity Van Lines 2 days after a blizzard and they were wonderful! They still showed up on time and got the move done within the original time window, despite the added hassle of piles of snow. I've had mixed experiences with other movin..."
"Summary: Not worth the hassle of your belongings being shipped to the farthest place away from your intended destination and living without your belongings for 1 month. Customer service representatives have no capability of helping you. They use a..."
"I worked directly with Desiree who informed me and was very upfront. The only issue I had was one of my table legs was chipped. They directed me though claims and now I’ve settled on an amount. The move overall was easy considering the distance wa..."
"I spoke to Jason several times and booked my move. He was sending two guys and a large truck. I was moving a two bedroom two bath apartment. I paid for a large truck and two movers. My move was supposed to be packed and delivered in 2 hours. It wa..."
"Received our goods yesterday and just started to unpack. So far it appears that they took packed boxes and in order to consolidate the re-packers at United jammed tools and paint stuff willy nilly into good clothing wardrobes crushing them and wri..."
"I was moving from CA to FL. I contacted them by phone they were nice and polite. On the day of pick-up they were timely helpful and professional. It went off perfectly. Alek was wonderful. He answered or returned my calls. He kept me in the loop ..."
"Roman and his team were great. They were fast, professional, and very nice. Moving is a stressful experience and hiring California movers made the experience so much better! Thanks California movers!"
"I wouldn't trust these people to move my trash to the curb. I contracted with them to pick up and deliver 300 cu ft of stuff. We estimated the number of boxes, and I told them at the time that I hadn't packed yet so I didn't know how many boxes th..."
"Do NOT use Empire. They gave us a low quote - then when I gave them an exact list of what we had, they more than doubled the cost. Then when the company they hired showed up - 4 hours late (8 pm!) they raised the price another $4000! We felt stuck..."
"Dealing with this company was a terrible experience. The mover did not complete the move. Instead, part way through, he said he had another job to do and would return in a day and a half. When he returned (later than promised), he insisted I pay h..."
"This Company is horrible and dishonest. Third and last quote was given to me after everything was loaded in the truck en route to Fl.. I was asked to tip workers $300. My furniture arrived late and the boxes were in bad conditions and opened. My f..."
What to know when moving to Novato, CA
Novato at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A highly educated area with 51.7% of residents holding a bachelor's degree and 28.5% of the population renting.
- The Major Draw:
- Median household income is $109,750, making it relatively affluent.
- The Reality Check:
- Median gross rent is $2,168, which could be a significant expense for some.
- Commute:
- Only 3.4% of residents use public transit for commuting.
- Top Tip:
- Prepare for 22.5 inches of rain annually, so invest in good rain gear.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
In Novato, you'll find a community with a strong educational background, where over half of the residents have a bachelor's degree. The housing market is competitive, with a median home value of $1,094,300, which reflects the area's affluence. While many residents enjoy the benefits of homeownership, nearly 29% are renters, indicating a diverse living arrangement. With a relatively low public transit usage rate, it's advisable to have a car for commuting and getting around.
Probably not your spot if you are looking for affordable rent, as the median gross rent is $2,168.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median gross rent is $2,168, which may be high for some budgets.
- Median owner-occupied home value is $1,094,300, indicating a robust housing market.
- 51.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, contributing to the area's educated populace.
- The poverty rate stands at 7.4%, which is relatively low.
- Only 3.4% of residents commute via public transit, suggesting a car-dependent area.
- 28.5% of the population are renters, indicating a mix of ownership and rental living.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
In California, the property crime rate is 1,764 per 100,000 residents, which is about 14% higher than the national average of 1,547. However, property crime has seen a significant decrease of 26.1% from 2022 to 2025. The violent crime rate is 415.5 per 100,000, which is 27.7% higher than the national average of 325.3, but it has also decreased by 17.4% over the same period.
- Violent crime: 415.5 per 100,000 vs. national average of 325.3
- Property crime: 1,764 per 100,000 vs. national average of 1,547
- Notable trend: Homicide rate down 44.9% since 2022
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for California).
Schools & Higher Ed
Novato has access to three nearby postsecondary institutions, providing educational opportunities within a reasonable distance.
- Total postsecondary institutions: 3
- Dominican University of California in San Rafael
- Presidio Graduate School in San Anselmo
- Meridian University in Petaluma
Source: NCES Postsecondary School Locations, U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
Novato experiences an annual precipitation of 22.5 inches, with most of that falling during the winter months. The area enjoys about 53 rainy days a year, so planning for wet weather is essential. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore several local parks for recreation.
- China Camp State Park - 4.7 stars (1,208 reviews)
- Lagoon Park - 4.6 stars (727 reviews)
- McNears Beach Park - 4.6 stars (689 reviews)
- Shollenberger Park - 4.6 stars (540 reviews)
Source: NOAA Climate Data Online, Google Places.
Jobs & the Local Economy
In Marin County, which includes Novato, the unemployment rate is 4.0%. There are currently 120,106 employed individuals, with a labor force of 125,091.
- Unemployment rate: 4.0% (December 2025)
- Employed: 120,106
- Labor force: 125,091
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.