154 movers in Santa Cruz
D.W. Ewing Movers and Storage
"In early February of 2015 we hired this company to move our household goods into a rental home. The move was uneventful and everything progress smoothly. had a truck and trailer. Now, in December of 2015 we purchased a house and we contacted D.W...."
Courtesy Moving and Storage
"This company is a subsidiary of Wheaton World Wide. They moved me on August 1, 2018, from Fresno to Vallejo, CA. I purchased Full Value Protection insurance.. I have substantial damage to many pieces of furniture. I have sent photos and requested ..."
MeatHead Movers
"Avoid this company like Covid. Total scam artists and cons. We were quoted for $1500 by the company before our move. My wife did a in-depth inventory to them of everything to move. She actually padded her estimate with extra boxes so we would be..."
Asap Movers Inc
"Avraham Zano was recently arrested FBI Miami Field Division Florida Moving scammer contact FBI Zano moving scam if you are a victim"
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..."
Jack & Jeff Transfer
"My wife and I employed Jeff and Jack Transfer (“JJT”) of Visalia, CA to move our household goods from our Exeter, CA home and to enter them into storage, anticipating a duration (for an overseas assignment) of several years. After our return to th..."
The Gentleman Mover
"I was completely happy with David M Krmpotich Inc. They were professional and proficient. Thank you David M Krmpotich, Jess, and the rest of the team! Ann M."
Reliable Moving and Storage
"I hired Reliable to move me from Taft to Bakersfield in July. They were very nice and showed on time moving day. I had them store all my furniture in a garage where it sat until today. We had a short move so decided to do it ourselves. Many, many ..."
Full House Movers
"DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!! Not only did we get charged more than twice the quote, but they lost and STOLE many many of our belongings and refuse to reimburse us, for anything!!! We had to pay prior to them loading and pay prior to them unloading...."
Lightning Van Lines
"A year later we are still finding problems with our move last summer with Lightning Van Lines. They stole personal property, damaged so many of our cherished items, and we still have yet to locate many boxes. The driver encouraged us to just "s..."
Prime Line Van Lines
"I have nothing but good things to say about Prime Line Van Lines. Their movers were professional, efficient and took excellent care of my valuables. Since I had a vast variety of items, they color-coded the boxes and placed the things in their des..."
Brooklyn Moving
"This company helped us move across the state, and we couldn’t be happier with their service. Everything arrived in perfect condition, and the team was very accommodating. If you’re looking for a reliable moving company, look no further than Bro..."
Beacon Van Lines LLC
"This was one of the most convenient moving company’s I’ve ever used, I will definitely recommend these guys to anyone looking to move there house, apartment, condo whatever they get it done efficiently."
USA Budget Movers
"This was a horrible experience. They grossly underestimated the amount of truck storage, and on moving day, I had to leave half of my things behind! Communication from the start was AWFUL. They just refer, and are not even a moving company. A comp..."
American Choice Van Lines
"Our moving experience with American Choice Vanlines was a a total scam and we want to warn everyone of their fraudulent and unethical behavior. We are a military family moving from CA to VA, and were originally quoted $15k for the move. After decl..."
Febex Moving and Storage
"I received my belongings 10 MONTHS after I left my origin state, and this is only because I filed a complaint with FMSCA. This is what was referred to as a hostage load complaint. If you have been a victim of this company, file a complaint here h..."
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.