154 movers in Santa Cruz
West Coast Moving Company
"This Company is horrible and dishonest. Third and last quote was given to me after everything was loaded in the truck en route to Fl.. I was asked to tip workers $300. My furniture arrived late and the boxes were in bad conditions and opened. My f..."
Birch Circle Moving
"I used Birch Circle Movers to move over six years ago. At that time, the owner was professional and his crew was excellent. I paid someone from his team to pack my kitchen and moved the next day. Unfortunately, my move on October 14th didn't nearl..."
Wrapid-Up Moving
"Hired [NAME EDIT] and his "company", Wrapid Up Moving and they destroyed so many of my belongings and lied to my face about it. They didn't bring enough packing materials and Angel took long breaks to "get materials" but he was just getting fast f..."
EHM Moving
"If I could rate them less than one I would. Worst experience ever tried to change quote even after confirmation text. When I copied text their quote back to them then I received a ranting maniac cursing and threatening me telling he had my inform..."
Father and Son Movers
"Dealing with this company was a terrible experience. The mover did not complete the move. Instead, part way through, he said he had another job to do and would return in a day and a half. When he returned (later than promised), he insisted I pay h..."
Preferred Movers
"Worst experience ever! We hired them trying to support local a family business, which are also more affordable; however, this time was a very costly decision for us, not only in terms of money, but also in terms of time, effort and stress. Sinc..."
Muscles for Moving
"Hi. Muscles for moving stole all my stuff. I contacted BBB. And they did nothing. I had things over 30 years and some where when I was a kid. My mother was there paid them my money. TI them. Someone said it be nice to tip there. The owner lie abou..."
California Moving Systems
"I seriously suspect the ratings I see for California Moving Systems on various sites as my extremely poor customer service experience was not an anomaly. We used CMS to complete a move from California to Florida and we couldn't have received worst..."
House To Home Moving
"I only review when a business provides me with an exceptional experience that I take the time to review them. Unfortunately this time I am writing a review for on ongoing exceptionally negative experience. A little background on how and why w..."
Fuller Moving Service
"Beware!!!! I would seriously caution anyone on using this company for their moving needs because They engage in very unethical business practices such as the following: 1. We were quoted an estimated price for our belongings that was much heavier ..."
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.
