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
D United Logistics
"This company overcharged, showed up late with 2 movers rather than 1, the dispatcher was very very rude, came with a truck that contained other people’s belongings, and still charged an exorbitant rate. I therefore Had to hire a second set of mov..."
M Spisak & Son
"They never showed to move me, stopped returning my calls, I had made appt weeks in advance. They are so unprofessional it is scary. I understand things coming up, but it is how you handle it, they choose to hide and avoid me. I will post a compl..."
Straightaway Moving & Storage
"Please do NOT use Straightway Moving & Storage Company. Our move was August 2017 it is now January 2018. It has been over 4 months since we are dealing with this issue. We are left with a broken bed, broken shelving, shattered picture frames, da..."
Swift Express Moving & Storage
"I spend over an hour on the telephone with the moving coordinator, a very polite individual, and we went through every possession in order to get "the most accurate pricing quote". They even stated that their company is Swift Express "like the tru..."
Atlantic Express Moving & Storage
"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..."
Royal Relocation
"I'm completely unsure of how to handle the situation I'm in. When the movers showed up, they went through, looked at everything, identified a few additional charges (minor), and then started working. When they got ~25% through loading up the t..."
Move Wisely
"I first contacted Luis at Rhino Relocation in July 2020 for relocation from CA to NC. I gave him a full list of items and received an initial estimate of about $3700. On Aug 6th a truck showed up and the driver gave me a new quote of $7500 after l..."
Run Van Lines
"Hire one mover get another name on the contract at 41% higher than the original quote. Run Van Lines is the name of a company with address a post office mail drop. No phone number items loaded on van then told now 56% higher than the new quote. A ..."
Lion Transportation Inc
"We used Lion Transportation to move my mother's furniture and household items. From the start we were lied to. Other than under-estimating the weight, which seems to be typical to the moving industry. Three men arrived an hour and a half late in a..."
R&C Relocation Services
"I wish I can give them negative, The driver Tim came 3 hours late, once arrived he started working and estimating things and ofcourse he said you have more items than the inventory, and the price'll go up $204 more, we said okay, they loaded every..."
Watford Moving and Storage
"Watford blatantly overcharged us, some valuables are missing, and the owner takes zero responsibility. Absolute nightmare move with Watford. Avoid at all cost!"
Allstate Relocation Systems
"I'm definitely walking the fence on this one. They certainly were eager to get started ahead of schedule, which warped MY schedule. But I can live with that. And they appeared to know their job of loading pretty well. Although, I questioned placin..."
American Best Moving
"I'd like to preface this by explaining that I've moved 10x in 10 years and four of them were cross-country moves. I have had many experiences with movers and this is the only time I have ever needed to complain. I will give American Best Moving..."
Hawaii Moving and Storage
"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."
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.
