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
Schumacher Cargo Logistics
"Avoid these scammers pls as I have used this company to ship a container load of cars from the USA to the UK. I was given a quote and everything was paid for in full in advance. It took them ages before the container was finally shipped. When the ..."
Hermes Moving and Storage
"It’s now over a month that this company picked up my things from my apartment and storage facility. They re-quoted me twice and never reached back out after telling me they needed to re-quoted it again. They never call back or answer my concerns i..."
Chris' Moving Men
"I contacted Chris' Moving (A Steven's Agent) to move 18,000 lbs from LA to Las Vegas. The move by Chris was very professional and excellent. Chris and his people are terrific. Unfortunately, Stevens is a sleezeball company and they turned what ..."
Sterling Van Lines
"Sterling assured me they were the right fit for my long distance move. I was told they would completely handle everything as their website states, if I could just be flexible with dates. I did not know this meant I wouldnt receive a packing or mov..."
King Relocation Services
"This company signed a binding agreement with me for my move across country. One the of the largest items that needed to be moved was a stone Buddha. King contractually committed to crating it, moving it to the truck, transporting it across country..."
Pink Transfer Moving & Storage
"They took 9 hrs to move a 2 bedroom apartment 3 movers, they moved so slow strangers stopped me to tell me how bad my movers were. Granted I have a lot of stuff and it was a long hallway but 2 young men completely moved me in 5 .5 hrs just last ye..."
Town & Country Moving & Storage
"Our realtor recommended Town and Country to us, and I had heard really great things from several friends in San Marino Guild who highly recommended Ed Mace. We had estimates from other reputable companies- Ed's was competitive, honest and he told ..."
Crown Relocation
"We used Crown to move from London to Atlanta. We chose them despite being one of the more expensive quotes as they promised they could have the move complete in 2-4 weeks on an expedited service. The issues started the day they arrived to pack..."
Western Relocations Inc
"Pride bought Western Relocations about 4 months before they moved us - something they didn't feel they needed to tell us - until much later. About 5-6 months later they raised our storage rate $110.00 - we were in another state, what was I suppose..."
Purely Move
"Be careful of that company. This is a scam. We paid $600 from Mission Viejo to Anaheim for one bedroom apartment and they are still ask more money after the moving. Her is the story: First, they are not professional cause they use 2 skinny young ..."
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.
