154 movers in Santa Cruz
"Wish I could give Sweet Home Movers 10 stars. The company was able to accommodate my load & unload request with less than a 24 hour notice (on a Sunday, no less). My movers, Tito and David, were absolutely AMAZING. They were highly professional an..."
"Highly recommended! The moving team was skilled, punctual, and maintained a positive attitude throughout the entire move. They even accommodated some last-minute changes without any issues. I am extremely satisfied with their service and will defi..."
"From the first call, with Serena, to the time we were moved into our new home, it was the truly the easiest part of a very stressful move. Serena promised the best and with Deisel and Terres the best was delivered. I fell and Diesel moved so qui..."
"We used Carney’s Full Service Movers for both packing and moving in July 2025 and are very happy with their service. From the initial consultation/estimate to the two days of packing and moving and beyond, the customer service was fantastic. The ..."
"I used Integrity Van Lines 2 days after a blizzard and they were wonderful! They still showed up on time and got the move done within the original time window, despite the added hassle of piles of snow. I've had mixed experiences with other movin..."
"I worked directly with Desiree who informed me and was very upfront. The only issue I had was one of my table legs was chipped. They directed me though claims and now I’ve settled on an amount. The move overall was easy considering the distance wa..."
"Summary: Not worth the hassle of your belongings being shipped to the farthest place away from your intended destination and living without your belongings for 1 month. Customer service representatives have no capability of helping you. They use a..."
"I spoke to Jason several times and booked my move. He was sending two guys and a large truck. I was moving a two bedroom two bath apartment. I paid for a large truck and two movers. My move was supposed to be packed and delivered in 2 hours. It wa..."
"Received our goods yesterday and just started to unpack. So far it appears that they took packed boxes and in order to consolidate the re-packers at United jammed tools and paint stuff willy nilly into good clothing wardrobes crushing them and wri..."
"Do NOT use Empire. They gave us a low quote - then when I gave them an exact list of what we had, they more than doubled the cost. Then when the company they hired showed up - 4 hours late (8 pm!) they raised the price another $4000! We felt stuck..."
"I wouldn't trust these people to move my trash to the curb. I contracted with them to pick up and deliver 300 cu ft of stuff. We estimated the number of boxes, and I told them at the time that I hadn't packed yet so I didn't know how many boxes th..."
"Roman and his team were great. They were fast, professional, and very nice. Moving is a stressful experience and hiring California movers made the experience so much better! Thanks California movers!"
"I was moving from CA to FL. I contacted them by phone they were nice and polite. On the day of pick-up they were timely helpful and professional. It went off perfectly. Alek was wonderful. He answered or returned my calls. He kept me in the loop ..."
What to know when moving to Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A highly educated area with 55.2% of residents holding a bachelor's degree.
- The Major Draw:
- A median household income of $106,040 provides a solid economic base.
- The Reality Check:
- With a poverty rate of 17.1%, some residents face economic challenges.
- Commute:
- Only 3.7% of residents use public transit, making it a car-dependent area.
- Top Tip:
- Expect to budget around $2,356 per month for rent.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
Santa Cruz features a mix of homeowners and renters, with 48.1% of the population renting. The community is educated, with over half of residents holding a bachelor's degree. However, the 17.1% poverty rate indicates that not everyone shares in the area's economic prosperity. Rainy days make up a significant part of the year, so having an umbrella handy is a good idea.
Probably not your spot if: You prefer a strong public transit system, as only 3.7% of residents rely on it.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median rent is $2,356, which reflects the high demand in the area.
- The median owner-occupied home value is $1,189,300, indicating a competitive housing market.
- About 55.2% of residents have a bachelor's degree, contributing to the community's character.
- The poverty rate stands at 17.1%, which may affect local economic conditions.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
In California, the annual property crime rate is 1,764 per 100,000 residents, which is 14% higher than the national average. The violent crime rate is 415.5 per 100,000 residents, 27.7% higher than the national average.
- Violent crime: 415.5 per 100k vs. national 325.3, a decrease of 17.4% since 2022.
- Property crime: 1,764 per 100k vs. national 1,546.9, a decrease of 26.1% since 2022.
- Notable trend: The homicide rate has dropped by 44.9% since 2022, now at 3.2 per 100k.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for California).
Schools & Higher Ed
Access to education is strong in the area, with three postsecondary institutions available nearby:
- University of California-Santa Cruz
- Five Branches University
- Cabrillo College (in Aptos)
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations, U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
Santa Cruz offers a variety of outdoor spots for nature lovers. Here are a few popular nearby options:
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 4.6 stars (49,119 reviews)
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - 4.8 stars (8,019 reviews)
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park - 4.8 stars (5,220 reviews)
- Lighthouse Field State Beach - 4.7 stars (3,989 reviews)
- Wilder Ranch State Park - 4.8 stars (2,586 reviews)
Source: Google Places API.
Jobs & the Local Economy
The job market in Santa Cruz County is competitive, with an unemployment rate of 6.4% as of December 2025. The labor force consists of approximately 137,384 individuals.
- Unemployment rate: 6.4% (December 2025)
- Employed: 128,578
- Labor force: 137,384
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.