Local moving companies in Santa Ana
- Meathead Movers: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Maison Moving: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Trek Movers: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Qshark Moving Company Inc: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- NorthStar Moving Company : 4.62 out of 5 stars
Meathead Movers

DOT #: 921143
Years in Business: 27
2430 South Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705 USMeathead Movers stands out for hustle, professionalism, and customer care. Out of 596 feedback entries, 76.7% reflected positive experiences, far surpassing most moving services. Customers consistently mention the professional and polite attitude of staff, quick and efficient moves, careful handling of belongings, and clear communication throughout the process. On the other hand, some input details damage to furniture or property, unexpected costs, and occasional delays with arrival or delivery. Still, the frequency of efficient and careful service notably outweighs these issues. Based on customer input, Meathead Movers sets a higher standard for moving companies by maintaining reliable service, though attention to damage prevention and transparent pricing could be further improved to match their strong reputation.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 921143
- State license #: 189849
Alternative Business Names
- Meat Head Movers Inc
- Meathead Movers Inc
Maison Moving

DOT #: 76628
Years in Business: 17
1371 Santa Fe Dr., Tustin, CA 92780 USWord spreads fast about a moving company that gets the job done. Out of 293 customer reviews, Maison Moving earned high marks, with 84% giving glowing feedback. Customers repeatedly mention the efficiency, professionalism, and care shown by the movers, highlighting strong communication, timely arrivals, and careful handling of belongings. Many found booking straightforward, pricing transparent, and crews helpful and polite. Moving day stresses were often eased by their quick, organized approach. Negative feedback, making up 14% of input, centered on damaged or missing items and rare delays or unprepared crews. Some clients were frustrated by the claims process or communication breakdowns after problems. Only 1% described neutral experiences, usually pointing out minor issues like unexpected fees or average service. Compared to others, Maison Moving stands out for its reliable, efficient service but could improve on accountability and claims handling when things go wrong.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 76628
- State license #: 0190726
Alternative Business Names
- Orange County Movers Inc
- College Boys Moving and Storage of Orange County
- Affordable Moving and Storage of Orange County
Local Associations
Trek Movers

DOT #: 3256910
Pricing: $120/hr
Years in Business: 9
5200 Irvine Blvd A, Irvine, CA 92620 USMoving experiences don't get much better than with Trek Movers, according to a thorough analysis of 1,359 customer feedback reports. An outstanding 95.6% of input is positive, making Trek Movers one of the highest-rated moving companies in the market. Customers repeatedly highlight efficient service, meticulous care for belongings, polite and professional staff, quick moves, and great communication. Friendly movers arrive on schedule, treat items with respect, and follow up as needed. In comparison to other companies, reports of property damage, surprise costs, or slow arrivals are rare, but some customers did encounter issues with higher-than-expected bills, instances of item damage, or delayed service. Negative experiences, though infrequent, often relate to pricing or isolated mishandled moves. Only a handful of reviews are neutral, usually referencing minor miscommunications or logistical inconveniences. Trek Movers sets a high bar in the moving industry for reliability and attention to detail, easily outperforming many competitors on trust, speed, and professionalism.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3256910
- State license #: 0191956
Alternative Business Names
- Trek Solutions LLC
- Trek Movers Inc
Qshark Moving Company Inc

DOT #: 2758929
Years in Business: 10
2618 San Miguel Dr, #295, Newport Beach, CA 92660 USMoving with Qshark Moving Company Inc leaves most customers satisfiedโof the 233 feedback entries reviewed, 94% reflect positive experiences. Customers frequently mention the companyโs efficiency, careful handling, professionalism, speed, and quality communication. Friendly movers put families at ease while skillfully protecting and transporting belongings, even on challenging jobs. People enjoyed transparent pricing, easy booking, and prompt serviceโa sharp contrast with typical moving frustrations elsewhere. Some negative input centers on damages to furniture or property, unreliable scheduling, and a handful of lost items, experiences rarely found in top-rated moving services. Qsharkโs customer service stood out, with many reports of prompt resolution and willingness to correct issues, but a few reviewers describe problems with poor packing and slow or unresponsive claims. Most movers arrive with proper equipment, work quickly, and demonstrate respect for clients' homes and personal items. Compared to other providers, Qsharkโs consistently positive input and resolution-driven management set a higher standard, though occasional lapses in care and timing suggest evaluating claims policies for peace of mind.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2758929
- State license #: 0191490
Alternative Business Names
- Qshark Movers
- Shark Moving Compnay
- Shark Movers
NorthStar Moving Company

DOT #: 1836576
Years in Business: 30
300 Spectrum Center Dr Ste 400, Irvine, CA 92618 USMoving day becomes stress-free with NorthStar Moving Company, based on feedback from 68 customersโ94% shared strong praise. Their most valued traits include efficient service, careful handling of items, and a professional, helpful crew. Customers frequently highlight the moversโ speed, organization, and willingness to assist with unplanned needs, setting NorthStar apart from other companies. Pricing transparency and reliable scheduling also add extra appeal, while both large and small moves often run smoothly, thanks to teams going above and beyond. Some dissatisfied input focused on hard-to-reach representatives, poor communication, and a few timing issues which caused frustration. Still, negative experiences accounted for less than 5% of all feedback, and most clients endorsed NorthStar for local, long distance, and even last-minute relocations. Compared to other moving companies, NorthStar consistently impresses with attentive teams and smooth execution, making it a top choice for those seeking security and reliability during a move.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1836576
- State license #: 0182466
Alternative Business Names
- NorthStar Moving Corporation
Factors influencing moving costs from Santa Ana to Ann Arbor
What to know before moving from Santa Ana to Ann Arbor
Moving from Santa Ana to Ann Arbor means adjusting to a different pace of life โ and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Santa Ana than in Ann Arbor, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Santa Ana compares to Ann Arbor so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Santa Ana | Ann Arbor | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $2,650 | $2,260 |
Average home value | $843,858 | $474,909 |
Average income (per capita) | $77,283 | $66,964 |
Cost of living (single person) | $6,333 | $2,176 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $11,160 | $5,344 |
Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 3.5% |
Sales tax | 9.25% | 6.0% |
State income tax | 13.3% | 4.25% |
- Rent prices in Ann Arbor are 15% lower than in Santa Ana, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Ann Arbor.
Home prices in Ann Arbor are 43.7% lower than in Santa Ana. - Income in Ann Arbor is 13.4% lower than in Santa Ana, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Ann Arbor include University of Michigan, NSK Americas, Inc., and Domino's Pizza.
- The cost of living for a single person in Ann Arbor is 65.6% lower than in Santa Ana. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in Ann Arbor is 52.1% lower than in Santa Ana.
- The unemployment rate in Ann Arbor is 50.00% lower than in Santa Ana.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Ann Arbor, since the cityโs sales taxes in Ann Arbor are 35.14% lower than in Santa Ana.
- One perk of moving to Ann Arbor is paying less in state income taxes, which are 68.05% lower than in Santa Ana.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,030.79 in Ann Arbor to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Santa Ana.
How life is different in Santa Ana vs. Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor | Santa Ana | |
---|---|---|
Population | 123,851 | 310,227 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 7 | 7 |
Walkability score | 52 | 67 |
Bike friendliness score | 71 | 62 |
Crime Index | 31.0 | 54.17 |
Safety Index | 79.18 | 45.83 |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
- Ann Arbor's population is about 60% less than Santa Ana.
- Ann Arbor's public transportation has a similar score to Santa Ana.
- Ann Arbor is less walkable than Santa Ana with a score of 52 out of 100 vs Santa Ana's 67 out of 100.
- With a score of 71 out of 100, Ann Arbor is more bike-friendly than Santa Ana, which has a score of 62 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Ann Arbor's crime rate is lower than Santa Ana with a score of 31.0 compared to Santa Ana's 54.17. This means that Ann Arbor neighborhoods are safer than 31.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Santa Ana neighborhoods are safer than 54.17%.
- Ann Arbor is considered to be safer than Santa Ana with a safety index of 79.18 vs Santa Ana's 45.83.
- Air quality in Ann Arbor is moderate, and in Santa Ana it's moderate.
Other things to consider for your Santa Ana vs. Ann Arbor move
- Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Ann Arbor for moving.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Michigan does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Ann Arbor. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Ann Arbor
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Tree Town", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Ann Arbor.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Kerrytown
- Lower Burns Park
- Old West Side
- Northside/Lower Town
- Allen Creek/Old West Side
Best neighborhoods for families
- Burns Park
- Eberwhite
- Water Hill
- Ann Arbor Hills
- Dicken
Things to do in Ann Arbor
Now that you've made the move to Michigan, itโs the perfect time to explore Ann Arbor. From local hotspots to hidden gems, thereโs something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Youโll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Ann Arbor, such as the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, University of Michigan Museum of Art, University of Michigan Museum of Natural History, Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, and Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Gallup Park, Hudson Mills Metropark, County Farm Park, and Buhr Park โ along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Ann Arbor?
The best time to move from Santa Ana to Ann Arbor is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Santa Ana.
When is the cheapest time to move from Santa Ana to Ann Arbor?
Because most people are moving from Santa Ana to Ann Arbor in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Santa Ana to Ann Arbor take?
The 2,239-mile move from Santa Ana, CA, to Ann Arbor, MI, takes six to 17 days. Some Santa Ana movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Ann Arbor.