349 movers in Santa Barbara
United Transportation Moving & Storage
Jeremy said: I would use them again without hesitation. The crew showed up ready and got straight to work. They handled the loading and unloading without making it chaotic. Nothing felt rushed, but they also didn't waste time. The team worked well together and kept things moving the whole day. The whole process was under control. Read more at: https://moveadvisor.com/movers/united-transportation-moving-and-storage-2154
Bulky Movers LLC
"TLDR; Bulky Movers LLC, grossly underestimated the job, was not prepared, damaged our stuff and ghosted us when trying to get them to file insurance claims Learn from us, do not use Bulky Movers LLC if you care about your stuff. We moved with the..."
TransUnion Van Lines
"59 days. It took them 59 days to deliver. They are not movers, they are brokers. They will sit on your shipment as looong as they want to get the lowest possible price on a truck. After reading the fine print I reminded them that after 30 working ..."
Clutter Moving and Storage
"1 Star (If I could give zero, I would.) I’ve had the absolute worst experience imaginable with Clutter. They have completely taken advantage of me and trapped my belongings in their system. I’ve been trying to get my items back for two weeks, and..."
Budget Van Lines
"THIS COMPANY IS A " MOVING BROKER " NOT A REAL MOVER !! THEY WILL RUIN YOUR LIFE !! PLEASE DON'T BELEIVE THESE GOOGLE REVIEWS WHO CAN BE WRITTEN BY ALL THEI EMPLOYEES , YOU CAN SEE WHAT I MEAN BUY CHECKING THEIR REVIEWS ON (ANGI.COM) AND OTHER REV..."
Bravo Moving
"I had an extremely disappointing experience with this company and would strongly advise others to look elsewhere. I only wish I had read the many similar reviews before signing. From the beginning, the process felt misleading. The salesperson, Ra..."
Hercules Moving Systems
"Hercules Moving Systems, Inc. 2507 Medford Street Los Angeles CA 90033 Complaint Description: EXTREME DAMAGE AND MISSING PERSONAL PROPERTY, IMPROPER PACKING & NEGLIGENT TO STORE AND KEEPING THE PROPERTIES SAFE AND DELIVER IN A GOOD CONDITIO..."
Guardian Cargo Logistics
"This was the worst moving experience ever! DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! You will be ripped off in more ways than one!"
State to State Logistics
"Not trusted Changes prices after your furniture is loaded on truck Once packed up no one answers the phone Lost tons of money on this move Scammers DO NOT USE"
Cross Country Relocation Inc
"Not only did this company charge me TWICE what I was quoted, they NEVER DELIVERED MY BELONGINGS!!! I’ve been homeless now for almost 4 days!!! Run away from these scam artists! They belong in prison for their crimes! Worst moving company EVER!"
First Way Movers
"So I went through Budget for my moms move from CA to ID. Budget was amazing and this fiasco is not their fault. First way picked up moms stuff 9/9/23. I had measured her buffet perfectly and they tried to tell me I measured it wrong and wanted $30..."
LD Moving and Storage
"DO NOT USE THIS MOVING COMPANY. Took 37 days to get my move! Called them multiple times and all I got was "move is delayed". No explanation, no delivery date, no common courtesy, nothing. This company in unprofessional in every aspect. They are un..."
Civic Van Lines DBA Shleppers Moving & Storage
"My moving consultant, Alan, was great! He came to my home and took an inventory I had to move and gave a reasonable quote for a flat fee that included, drive time, all materials, 6 men, 2 trucks, and packing of my TVs and framed pictures which inc..."
LA Moving Inc
"I met with Steve and another mover. He said he will meet me between 9-9:30. I arrived at around 9:04 and seemed perturbed that I wasn’t there at exactly 9a.m.. Both movers were courteous throughout preparing to move one large item. They both shrin..."
Trig Moving and Storage
"I moved from California to the north east coast and these mother fucking TRIG moving company full of bastard dickheads did a worthless job enough to fill their mouths with pig shit. DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT use this company. I want to see how all the ..."
Americas Choice Moving and Storage
"We initially liked the appeal of this company but don't be fooled by the pretty prices and customer service. We were moving for the military and were estimated at 1600 to move cross country but less than 24 hours before our items were delivered we..."
USA Logistics Moving
"We got totally scammed and an absolute nightmare. Price of interstate move more than doubled ($11,000 to $23,000) once the truck was loaded. We signed, as our house was sold and we had to be out the next day. Once we finally got our stuff, so much..."
Alpha & Omega Moving and Storage
"I had read negative reviews online and was very worried that the movers wouldn't show up when expected or would handle my things carelessly, however my experience with Alpha Omega Moving and Storage was mostly good. The crew that loaded my things ..."
Pro Movers Inc
"If you're looking for moving help, look elsewhere. Pro Movers failed me on so many levels. I went with them for a peace of mind (thinking they were a bigger moving company) but ended up with an oversized bill, severe damage to my furniture and hou..."
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.