351 movers in Santa Maria
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..."
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 ..."
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 ..."
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 ..."
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..."
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..."
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 ..."
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 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.
