350 movers in Santa Barbara
"The foreman and his crew was wonderful to deal with. They were extremely careful with everything, professional, polite and fun! When the truck arrived in the crew here was just as wonderful. Everything was delivered safe and sound and the crew was..."
"I needed to move the contents of my son's one bedroom apartment to a storage unit within the week. Jay at Precision Moving & Storage came through for me with flying colors! His quick response and reasonable rates made it happen. The two men that c..."
"Despite the horror stories about interstate movers, we had a great experience with NorthStar. Starting with meeting Alejandra and Cesar, then working with Ron and, finally, getting to know George and his crew was an amazing experience despite all..."
"This is a team of dedicated and efficient movers who made the task fun! The quote process was efficient and accurate, and the team was always available to address our concerns and update the quote as needed. We highly recommend them for your next ..."
"AQMS recently moved me and it was a very positive experience, they were great. They cared and treated all my belongings like they were their own. Moving can be a somewhat stressful time but not with AQMS, they ROCK and will handle all moves in the..."
"The crew and my planner made moving with kids a breeze. There was less work for me because they moved the cribs, packed them up, and took them apart. Because they were so good, I would tell everyone about them."
"I used moving services of this company for two times, one on 2016 and the second time on 2017, both of these times they were just excellent, professional fast and affordable. Unfortunately, In 2020 I called their phone number requesting their usua..."
"These guys were awesome. They made my move much easier. They were quick, affordable and professional. Thank you."
"I believe Hawaiian Van Lines deserves a full 5 stars for the way they handle customer feedback and complaints. I experienced a small issue during the process, but Ben went above and beyond to make things right with his understanding and care. I wa..."
"By far the best moving company ever. When I say no head aches . easy and smooth . Yes my price went up a little for some materials. But the foreman was very knowledgeable and explained to me why . which I totally understand . Being my first move I..."
"Moved me from Agoura Hills to Westwood. I didn't have much furniture, mostly boxes, and my movers Alex and Max didn't waste time around. They finished the entire move in less than 3 hours and kept my expenses down."
"Excellent Van Lines responded to my request with a great price. They had two representatives dispatched to my home in a short time and they got the job done. The gentlemen were timely, courteous and professional. I will definitely request Excellen..."
"This company is fantastic. From start to finish, they did not miss a step. Friendly, professional and startlingly reasonable. Ronald was always available to update my shipment and answered all my questions along the way. Oliver and Alex were my pe..."
"The movers were amazing! They moved my mother from Texas to Florida. Marcelo helped me with my move during the whole process. I received a lot of calls, but Marcelo was professional very patient with me. He explained everything in detail and spent..."
"The second time Elephant moving co have moved us in the last 3 years. We have a large nice home and we feel we are getting a premium service at a reasonable price. Everyone is skilled congenital and hardworking. We have referred them to a fami..."
"Victory moving company is, by all means, the best company I ever hired! Highly rated professional movers made my moving day so nice and easy! Highly recommended moving company for Los Angeles and Orange County areas! Thank you so much Victory team!"
What to know when moving to Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A highly educated area where 41.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree and 78.2% are renters.
- The Major Draw:
- Median household income is $79,868, providing a comfortable living standard.
- The Reality Check:
- The median gross rent is $2,109, which is relatively high.
- Commute:
- Only 3.2% of residents use public transit.
- Top Tip:
- Prepare for 33.5 inches of rain annually, with the wettest months in winter.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
Santa Barbara has a population of 30,496, characterized by a significant renter presence at 78.2%. While the median household income is a solid $79,868, nearly 17.1% of residents live below the poverty line. The area has a relatively high education level, with 41.1% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The climate brings about 33.5 inches of precipitation a year, with most rain falling during the winter.
Probably not your spot if you are looking for affordable housing, as the median gross rent stands at $2,109.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median gross rent is $2,109, which can strain a budget, especially for renters.
- Median home value is $1,122,200, indicating a high cost of homeownership.
- 41.1% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting a well-educated community.
- The poverty rate is 17.1%, suggesting economic challenges for some residents.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
Crime data for California indicates a mixed picture; while property crime has decreased by 26.1% from 2022 to 2025, the state annual rate for property crime in 2025 stands at 1,764 per 100,000 people, which is 14% higher than the national average. Violent crime has also dropped by 17.4% in the same period, with a rate of 415.5 per 100,000, 27.7% higher than the national rate.
- Violent crime: 415.5 per 100k vs. national 325.3 per 100k.
- Property crime: 1,764 per 100k vs. national 1,546.9 per 100k.
- Notable trend: Homicide rate down 44.9% since 2022.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for California).
Schools & Higher Ed
Santa Barbara has access to several higher education institutions, contributing to its educated population.
- Total postsecondary institutions: 7
- With College Scorecard data: 7
- Local options include University of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College, and Westmont College.
Source: NCES Postsecondary School Locations, U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
Santa Barbara experiences an annual high of 81°F and an average low of 47°F, with 33.5 inches of rain spread throughout the year, particularly in winter. The area enjoys 333 days of sunshine, making it favorable for outdoor activities.
- Arroyo Burro Beach County Park: 4.7 stars (3,331 reviews)
- Shoreline Park: 4.8 stars (2,508 reviews)
- Goleta Beach Park: 4.5 stars (3,047 reviews)
Sources: NOAA Climate Data Online, Google Places.
Jobs & the Local Economy
Santa Barbara County has a labor force of 221,450, with an unemployment rate of 4.9% as of December 2025.
- Unemployment rate: 4.9%
- Employed: 210,704
- Labor force: 221,450
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.