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
Acclaimed Movers and Storage
"They tricked me by advertising the name “Hawaii Island Movers,” (I thought this was Island Movers, the reputable company in Hawaii) as well as into an unauthorized charge, which I am now pursuing a lawsuit for. They lost personal belongings of min..."
USA Van Lines
"Best moving service I’ve ever worked with, I highly recommended them! Would definitely work with them again in the future. Customer service exceeded expectations. They went above and beyond with assisting us through the most tedious aspects of mov..."
Seventh Generation Moving snd Storage
"First, I need to say that I booked through a broker, and they share a bit of blame for the bad estimate. HOWEVER, 7th Generation obviously did not communicate with the broker that hired them because when they arrived, they told me that the actual..."
Pro Smart Movers
"Reliable moving service! I booked in advance & they called to confirm 5 days in advance & again the day before. Two movers came and efficiently moved all the furniture and boxes. All furniture was wrapped in plastic for protection. My move day ran..."
USA Budget Movers
"This was a horrible experience. They grossly underestimated the amount of truck storage, and on moving day, I had to leave half of my things behind! Communication from the start was AWFUL. They just refer, and are not even a moving company. A comp..."
TLS Van Lines Inc
"I had an amazing experience with TLS Van since day one when I spoke to Valerie over the phone about our move from Dana Point, CA to Miami, FL. Everything went well and as planned with no surprises. I had like 5 extra boxes compared to my initial..."
Beacon Van Lines LLC
"This was one of the most convenient moving company’s I’ve ever used, I will definitely recommend these guys to anyone looking to move there house, apartment, condo whatever they get it done efficiently."
Full Nation Moving LLC
"Contracted with Full Nation as they told us they were a direct carrier. They had a different moving company show up that tried to charge us $6000 extra to move 583 cubic feet when our original contract was $3996. We couldn't get a hold of Full Nat..."
Atlantis Van Lines
"I wrote an exhaustive review already. This company is now DBA Princz movers, so if you are disheartened by Atlantis's reviews, exercise caution when considering Princz Movers. If you look up their license, they are also based out of Florida, they ..."
Texas Van Lines
"Texas Van Lines sounded good online and in telephone conversations, but the way they handled our move from San Antonio, TX, to Jacksonville, FL, was a nightmare. Despite a binding estimate of $2260, the final cost was $3320.25. Although the c..."
New Beginnings Relocation
"Avoid this moving company. They will rip you off. They hire people from craigslist who have no moving skills. They did not move me but charge my credit card over $7500 and did so without my permission. I fired them on the spot because their craigs..."
BBB Moving & Storage
"We were initially in contact with David. He was nice and informative. We requested our items be delivered and sure enough they were on time. When they arrived to my condo building, they arrived in a semi truck(which we knew nothing about). Upon wa..."
5 Star Relocation
"This company contacted me took my inventory gave me a estimate and they were the cheapest I asked if they would come out And do walk through before I put deposit down just so we would be sure on price they said it wasn’t necessary and it would be ..."
Laprom Moving
"I contracted with 24 Moving, who gave me a written estimate of $380 for three guys to load a truck and move my stuff 30 miles & $380 to unload the next morning. A truck saying they worked from LAPROM Moving arrived four hours late to load the truc..."
American Pacific Transportation
"American Pacific Transportation is unlicensed to do business in the state of California. They delivered 37 of my 72 boxes and told me to file a claim. To file, you need to list each item, its original and replacement cost, weight but you cannot ..."
Revolution Moving Systems
"They insisted on a money order without their company name on it. I would have had to get at least ten to cover the amount. I provided them with a cashiers check and they got very angry. They said they would have to cash it before I got my stuff. T..."
SNY Relocation System Inc
"IF YOU WANT TO BE STOLEN FROM, OVERCHARGED, AND HAVE YOUR ITEMS BROKEN AND NOT GIVEN A CRAP ABOUT - THEN SNY IS YOUR MOVER! this company is a complete and total sham! They were farmed out by Purple Heart movers who lie and say they are saving you..."
Virgin Van Lines
"The list for all the bad things about this company are too long to post. Please read ALL the reviews that are as mine, because you can bet the others are MADE UP by the Company and employees! There is even a Facebook page, Virgin Van Line Victime..."
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.