351 movers in Santa Maria
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 ..."
55 Moving
"Eddie who calls himself the owner agreed to do the move at 275 flat and I promised them if everything will be good I will give you guys a great tip. The move was scheduled for 9 AM. Right before 1 day, I called to check in if he is going to make i..."
Alex Moving & Storage
"DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! They did not provide the service we paid for. We moved from CA to GA; however we needed to store our entire household for 7 months. It was our understanding that our belongings would be loaded into large crates, stored in ..."
Pro Moving & Storage LLC
"DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY !!! Worst experience of our lives . (GM) [NAME EDIT] , Salesman [NAME EDIT] , Foreman/Dispatcher [NAME EDIT] ( piece of crap) are all Liars, Thieves and the most unprofessional group of individuals you will ever meet. Our m..."
Household Goods Moving Experts
"After contacting American Way Moving they contracted with this company. Horrible experience. Not only did the price keep going up they kept moving the delivery day out. The foreman that picked up our belongings told us to have a cashier check read..."
Best Rate Moving and Storage
"I used this company to move during a snow storm!! They were prompt proffessional and had strong work ethics. I would use them again based on their work ethics and attitudes."
Dirt Cheap Mover
"I’m finally ready (after a few months) to write this review. I’ve been so livid at Steve Niedziela, the i-won’t-shut-the-heck-up-because-i-just-can’t-get-enough-of-my-own-b.s. owner, that I haven’t been able to write this without an abundance of w..."
Nelson Moving & Storage
"They say that it is easy to be excellent when everything is going well but the test of character is when there’s adversity. I am going to explain my experience with Nelson Moving starting with the bad. The very bad. We moved interstate from Califo..."
What to know when moving to Santa Maria, CA
TL;DR: Santa Maria at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A community where 46.9% of residents are renters and the median household income is $84,178.
- The Major Draw:
- The median gross rent is $1,750, making it a practical option for many.
- The Reality Check:
- With a poverty rate of 13.9%, some residents may face economic challenges.
- Commute:
- Only 1.5% of residents use public transit.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for $1,750 in monthly rent and prepare for 33.5 inches of rain annually.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
Santa Maria is characterized by a population of around 41,710, where 17.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The community has a balanced mix of renters and owners, with nearly half of the residents renting. The local climate features a significant amount of rainfall, particularly in winter, with 33.5 inches annually, while summers are mostly dry.
Probably not your spot if you are looking to avoid economic challenges, as a notable 13.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median gross rent is $1,750, which may fit comfortably within many budgets.
- The median owner-occupied home value is $477,600, reflecting a moderately priced housing market.
- About 46.9% of the population are renters, indicating a significant rental market.
- Poverty rate stands at 13.9%, which can impact community dynamics.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
Crime data for Santa Maria is reflective of state-level trends in California. Overall, the state has seen a decrease in crime rates over recent years.
- Violent crime rate is 415.5 per 100k residents, which is 27.7% higher than the national average.
- Property crime rate is 1,764 per 100k residents, 14% higher than the national rate of 1,546.9.
- Notable trend: The property crime rate has decreased by 26.1% since 2022.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for California).
Schools & Higher Ed
Santa Maria provides access to a few educational institutions.
- Total postsecondary institutions: 3
- Institutions with College Scorecard data: 3
- Named institutions include Allan Hancock College, CET-Santa Maria, and San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria.
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations, NCES, College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
Santa Maria experiences a Mediterranean climate with an average annual rainfall of 33.5 inches, primarily during the winter months.
- Parks & outdoor spots worth checking out:
- Waller Park - 4.6 stars (2,436 reviews)
- Preisker Park - 4.3 stars (1,160 reviews)
- Santa Maria Fairpark - 4.2 stars (841 reviews)
- Rotary Centennial Park - 4.6 stars (546 reviews)
Sources: NOAA Climate Data Online, Google Places.
Jobs & the Local Economy
Employment statistics for Santa Barbara County show a stable job market.
- Unemployment rate: 4.9% as of December 2025.
- Employed individuals: 210,704.
- Labor force: 221,450.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.