351 movers in Santa Maria
TransUnion Van Lines
"59 days. It took them 59 days to deliver. They are not movers, they are brokers. They will sit on your shipment as looong as they want to get the lowest possible price on a truck. After reading the fine print I reminded them that after 30 working ..."
Clutter Moving and Storage
"1 Star (If I could give zero, I would.) I’ve had the absolute worst experience imaginable with Clutter. They have completely taken advantage of me and trapped my belongings in their system. I’ve been trying to get my items back for two weeks, and..."
Budget Van Lines
"THIS COMPANY IS A " MOVING BROKER " NOT A REAL MOVER !! THEY WILL RUIN YOUR LIFE !! PLEASE DON'T BELEIVE THESE GOOGLE REVIEWS WHO CAN BE WRITTEN BY ALL THEI EMPLOYEES , YOU CAN SEE WHAT I MEAN BUY CHECKING THEIR REVIEWS ON (ANGI.COM) AND OTHER REV..."
Bravo Moving
"I had an extremely disappointing experience with this company and would strongly advise others to look elsewhere. I only wish I had read the many similar reviews before signing. From the beginning, the process felt misleading. The salesperson, Ra..."
Hercules Moving Systems
"Hercules Moving Systems, Inc. 2507 Medford Street Los Angeles CA 90033 Complaint Description: EXTREME DAMAGE AND MISSING PERSONAL PROPERTY, IMPROPER PACKING & NEGLIGENT TO STORE AND KEEPING THE PROPERTIES SAFE AND DELIVER IN A GOOD CONDITIO..."
Guardian Cargo Logistics
"This was the worst moving experience ever! DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! You will be ripped off in more ways than one!"
State to State Logistics
"Not trusted Changes prices after your furniture is loaded on truck Once packed up no one answers the phone Lost tons of money on this move Scammers DO NOT USE"
Cross Country Relocation Inc
"Not only did this company charge me TWICE what I was quoted, they NEVER DELIVERED MY BELONGINGS!!! I’ve been homeless now for almost 4 days!!! Run away from these scam artists! They belong in prison for their crimes! Worst moving company EVER!"
First Way Movers
"So I went through Budget for my moms move from CA to ID. Budget was amazing and this fiasco is not their fault. First way picked up moms stuff 9/9/23. I had measured her buffet perfectly and they tried to tell me I measured it wrong and wanted $30..."
LD Moving and Storage
"DO NOT USE THIS MOVING COMPANY. Took 37 days to get my move! Called them multiple times and all I got was "move is delayed". No explanation, no delivery date, no common courtesy, nothing. This company in unprofessional in every aspect. They are un..."
Civic Van Lines DBA Shleppers Moving & Storage
"My moving consultant, Alan, was great! He came to my home and took an inventory I had to move and gave a reasonable quote for a flat fee that included, drive time, all materials, 6 men, 2 trucks, and packing of my TVs and framed pictures which inc..."
LA Moving Inc
"I met with Steve and another mover. He said he will meet me between 9-9:30. I arrived at around 9:04 and seemed perturbed that I wasn’t there at exactly 9a.m.. Both movers were courteous throughout preparing to move one large item. They both shrin..."
Trig Moving and Storage
"I moved from California to the north east coast and these mother fucking TRIG moving company full of bastard dickheads did a worthless job enough to fill their mouths with pig shit. DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT use this company. I want to see how all the ..."
Americas Choice Moving and Storage
"We initially liked the appeal of this company but don't be fooled by the pretty prices and customer service. We were moving for the military and were estimated at 1600 to move cross country but less than 24 hours before our items were delivered we..."
USA Logistics Moving
"We got totally scammed and an absolute nightmare. Price of interstate move more than doubled ($11,000 to $23,000) once the truck was loaded. We signed, as our house was sold and we had to be out the next day. Once we finally got our stuff, so much..."
Alpha & Omega Moving and Storage
"I had read negative reviews online and was very worried that the movers wouldn't show up when expected or would handle my things carelessly, however my experience with Alpha Omega Moving and Storage was mostly good. The crew that loaded my things ..."
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..."
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.
