333 movers in San Marcos
"I would definitely avoid them. Great to work with before they have your money but afterwards is when the nightmare starts. Started off by changing my moving date by several days which wouldn’t be a big deal except that I was flying back on specifi..."
"My name is Svetlana Sonkin. I’m retiree and decided to relocate to Florida. I found moving company Atlantic Express Moving and Storage Inc. with reasonable price. My belonging were packed and picked up on June 2, 2015 in Bellevue, Washington to be..."
"[NAME EDIT] promised no extra costs. I ended up paying an extra $1000 hiden items. And my sofa was damaged. Their insurance said they cover $43. STAY AWAY *UPDATED POST VENDOR RESPONSE: Inaccurate/FALSE response from company. There was nothing ..."
"They lost half my wife’s closet on a three mile drive and we’re also extremely unprofessional in trying to get out of the unpacking we paid for. It was only a three mile drive yet when they unpacked everything my wife was missing tons of clothes a..."
"Title: Raptor Vanlines - A Dishonest and Manipulative Nightmare My experience with Raptor Vanlines has been nothing short of a nightmare, and I feel compelled to share my story to warn others. If I could give zero stars, I would. Liz, the person..."
"This company held my belongings hostage and was demanding 100% more than the estimate. I contacted FMCSA and filed a report. They forced this company to deliver my belongings. They delivered a week late and dumped my belongings on my front yard. I..."
"Do not use this company, they will be all nice and take your money, then you won't get your shipment, they in fact will write you a letter to come and get your household goods within 5 days. They did not return our money. Their services suck."
"Watford blatantly overcharged us, some valuables are missing, and the owner takes zero responsibility. Absolute nightmare move with Watford. Avoid at all cost!"
"I hired them to move a bedroom set consisting of the dresser with mirror, 2 night stands, a bed with headboard and footboard and a chest of drawers. $330. That's not a small amount of money for a relatively small job but get it...small job, same s..."
"Run don't walk away from this company. VERY unprofessional, incompetent, unreliable and undependable. It was made very clear to the quoting agent and this moving company on multiple occasions that my husband is disabled and would not be able to wa..."
"I hired Reliable to move me from Taft to Bakersfield in July. They were very nice and showed on time moving day. I had them store all my furniture in a garage where it sat until today. We had a short move so decided to do it ourselves. Many, many ..."
What to know when moving to San Marcos, CA
San Marcos at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A community where 44.2% of residents are renters and the median household income is $93,065.
- The Major Draw:
- California State University-San Marcos adds educational value to the area.
- The Reality Check:
- With a poverty rate of 11.8%, some residents may face financial challenges.
- Commute:
- Only 0.7% of residents use public transit.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for a median rent of $2,078 per month.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
San Marcos has a population of 46,825 and a strong educational presence, with 34.9% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The city is characterized by a mix of homeowners and renters, with 44.2% of households renting their homes. However, the community faces a poverty rate of 11.8%, which may impact some residents.
Probably not your spot if you are looking for extensive public transit options, as only 0.7% of residents use it.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median rent is $2,078, which reflects the local demand for housing.
- Median home value is $714,700, indicating a strong real estate market.
- 34.9% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, contributing to community education levels.
- Poverty rate is 11.8%, suggesting economic diversity among residents.
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 people, which is 14% higher than the national average. The violent crime rate stands at 415.5 per 100,000, about 27.7% higher than the national rate.
- Property crime: 1,764 per 100k vs. national average of 1,546.9
- Violent crime: 415.5 per 100k vs. national average of 325.3
- Notable trend: Property crime has decreased by 26.1% since 2022.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for California).
Schools & Higher Ed
San Marcos has access to 16 postsecondary institutions in the nearby region, including both California State University-San Marcos and Palomar College.
- Total postsecondary institutions: 16
- Institutions with College Scorecard data: 15
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations, U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
San Diego County receives about 12.1 inches of rain annually, with roughly 50 rainy days each year. Most of the rainfall occurs in winter, totaling 7.3 inches, while summer sees minimal precipitation at only 0.3 inches.
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park - 4.7 stars (28,341 reviews)
- Double Peak Park - 4.8 stars (1,693 reviews)
- Felicita County Park - 4.7 stars (1,325 reviews)
- Sunset Park - 4.7 stars (1,317 reviews)
Source: NOAA Climate Data Online, Google Places.
Jobs & the Local Economy
In San Diego County, the unemployment rate is 4.4%, with a labor force of approximately 1,678,915. The county has around 1,604,783 employed individuals.
- Unemployment rate: 4.4% (December 2025)
- Employed: 1,604,783
- Labor force: 1,678,915
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.