154 movers in Santa Cruz
Cal Van Lines
"This was a long move and the first time I have ever moved this far and with a moving company. It was the worst experience I have experienced in my life. I would never, ever use this company again, as long as I live. I had to make a claim with Cal ..."
Best Moving Van Lines
"This company was subcontracted by my daughter-in-law's primary movers, Allegiance Van Lines, to move her furniture and boxes from LA to Chicago. Not only did the furniture arrive more than 10 days late, they also lost her new $2,800 Casper Wave ma..."
Avl Moving Systems
"Never,..ever,..even consider using this company in Santa Clarita. AVL Moving Systems. The previous negative reviews are indeed correct. Other than the nice guy in sales, (but who still mislead me into thinking that things were far more inclusive ..."
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..."
Golden State Van Lines
"Wanted to share my experience about my move with Golden state Van lines. they have quoted me the best price and I went a head with them as you were refereed by my friend(who was referred by his friend). you pick-up was the good. you guys came o..."
Mont-Rose Moving Systems Inc.
"I hired Mont-Rose/Mayflower to move me in state. For the most part the move went great. The problem came when I had damaged items and filed a claim. Everything was taken care of with no issues except my computer. It had been dropped on its corner ..."
Fixprice Moving
"I found this moving company on the Internet and despite some bad reviews I thought it is reasonable to give them a chance. I had to move my stuff from west to east coast so it was a big deal for me. They gave me a very reasonable quote including f..."
Gold Star Van Lines
"This moving company is awful. At first you call and everything is delightful and egar to help. The estimate was far below what I actually paid. When the movers show up, do NOT sign anything before you read EVERY word! They packed my vacuum in a a ..."
Hollister Moving and Storage
"I contracted with Hollister Moving and Storage to move me from Hollister to Wyoming. Though they ([NAME EDIT]) promised to 'take care' of me, it was absolutely my worst nightmare! They damaged or 'lost' everything that I own(ed). They now refuse t..."
XO Moving System
"I signed contract with A+ company based on BBB, they told me they are the best in marked ,etc, they have handed off moving my stuff to XOMoving Company based in CA with out my authorization, it's been 2 months delay , somebody called me twice and ..."
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.
