351 movers in Santa Maria
Prodigy Moving and Storage
"They lost half my wife’s closet on a three mile drive and we’re also extremely unprofessional in trying to get out of the unpacking we paid for. It was only a three mile drive yet when they unpacked everything my wife was missing tons of clothes a..."
Apple Van Lines
"I wanted to trust this company because the commercial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4OEbJGKnCg) made it seem as though there is no broker, and the van would be an Apple Van that picks up from A and delivers to B. Not the case. They are a broke..."
Hollywood Moving and Storage
"I would definitely avoid them. Great to work with before they have your money but afterwards is when the nightmare starts. Started off by changing my moving date by several days which wouldn’t be a big deal except that I was flying back on specifi..."
United Moving Spaces
"[NAME EDIT] promised no extra costs. I ended up paying an extra $1000 hiden items. And my sofa was damaged. Their insurance said they cover $43. STAY AWAY *UPDATED POST VENDOR RESPONSE: Inaccurate/FALSE response from company. There was nothing ..."
KLM Vanlines
"I'm surprised to see them operating. I filed a claim with the DOT against them for charging me twice my binding quote after having left with my belongings. Boxes crushed, some missing. The DOT told me after the investigation that they had lost the..."
Energy Moving LLC
"PLEASE BELIEVE THE REVIEWS BEFORE YOU REGRET!!! I had a terrible experience with this household mover company. Navistar Van Lines hired Energy Moving Systems for the pick-up and storage, and R&M Transportation for the delivery. I contracted for a..."
D United Logistics
"This company overcharged, showed up late with 2 movers rather than 1, the dispatcher was very very rude, came with a truck that contained other people’s belongings, and still charged an exorbitant rate. I therefore Had to hire a second set of mov..."
Straightaway Moving & Storage
"Please do NOT use Straightway Moving & Storage Company. Our move was August 2017 it is now January 2018. It has been over 4 months since we are dealing with this issue. We are left with a broken bed, broken shelving, shattered picture frames, da..."
Swift Express Moving & Storage
"I spend over an hour on the telephone with the moving coordinator, a very polite individual, and we went through every possession in order to get "the most accurate pricing quote". They even stated that their company is Swift Express "like the tru..."
Atlantic Express Moving & Storage
"My name is Svetlana Sonkin. I’m retiree and decided to relocate to Florida. I found moving company Atlantic Express Moving and Storage Inc. with reasonable price. My belonging were packed and picked up on June 2, 2015 in Bellevue, Washington to be..."
R&C Relocation Services
"I wish I can give them negative, The driver Tim came 3 hours late, once arrived he started working and estimating things and ofcourse he said you have more items than the inventory, and the price'll go up $204 more, we said okay, they loaded every..."
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..."
Royal Relocation
"I'm completely unsure of how to handle the situation I'm in. When the movers showed up, they went through, looked at everything, identified a few additional charges (minor), and then started working. When they got ~25% through loading up the t..."
Move Wisely
"I first contacted Luis at Rhino Relocation in July 2020 for relocation from CA to NC. I gave him a full list of items and received an initial estimate of about $3700. On Aug 6th a truck showed up and the driver gave me a new quote of $7500 after l..."
Hawaii Moving and Storage
"Do not use this company, they will be all nice and take your money, then you won't get your shipment, they in fact will write you a letter to come and get your household goods within 5 days. They did not return our money. Their services suck."
Run Van Lines
"Hire one mover get another name on the contract at 41% higher than the original quote. Run Van Lines is the name of a company with address a post office mail drop. No phone number items loaded on van then told now 56% higher than the new quote. A ..."
Lion Transportation Inc
"We used Lion Transportation to move my mother's furniture and household items. From the start we were lied to. Other than under-estimating the weight, which seems to be typical to the moving industry. Three men arrived an hour and a half late in a..."
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.