353 movers in Santa Maria
"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 ..."
"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..."
"They tricked me by advertising the name “Hawaii Island Movers,” (I thought this was Island Movers, the reputable company in Hawaii) as well as into an unauthorized charge, which I am now pursuing a lawsuit for. They lost personal belongings of min..."
"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..."
"First, I need to say that I booked through a broker, and they share a bit of blame for the bad estimate. HOWEVER, 7th Generation obviously did not communicate with the broker that hired them because when they arrived, they told me that the actual..."
"Reliable moving service! I booked in advance & they called to confirm 5 days in advance & again the day before. Two movers came and efficiently moved all the furniture and boxes. All furniture was wrapped in plastic for protection. My move day ran..."
"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."
"Contracted with Full Nation as they told us they were a direct carrier. They had a different moving company show up that tried to charge us $6000 extra to move 583 cubic feet when our original contract was $3996. We couldn't get a hold of Full Nat..."
"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..."
"I wrote an exhaustive review already. This company is now DBA Princz movers, so if you are disheartened by Atlantis's reviews, exercise caution when considering Princz Movers. If you look up their license, they are also based out of Florida, they ..."
"Texas Van Lines sounded good online and in telephone conversations, but the way they handled our move from San Antonio, TX, to Jacksonville, FL, was a nightmare. Despite a binding estimate of $2260, the final cost was $3320.25. Although the c..."
"Avoid this moving company. They will rip you off. They hire people from craigslist who have no moving skills. They did not move me but charge my credit card over $7500 and did so without my permission. I fired them on the spot because their craigs..."
"We were initially in contact with David. He was nice and informative. We requested our items be delivered and sure enough they were on time. When they arrived to my condo building, they arrived in a semi truck(which we knew nothing about). Upon wa..."
"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..."
"IF YOU WANT TO BE STOLEN FROM, OVERCHARGED, AND HAVE YOUR ITEMS BROKEN AND NOT GIVEN A CRAP ABOUT - THEN SNY IS YOUR MOVER! this company is a complete and total sham! They were farmed out by Purple Heart movers who lie and say they are saving you..."
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.