Santa Barbara's median home value is $1,570,800 in the American Community Survey, and 60.1 percent of its households rent, so the housing plan matters as much as the truck. The city is about 520 miles from our Sparks warehouse, far enough that the trip spans more than one driving day.
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4.3 on Google · 71 reviewsFamily owned since 1941U.S. DOT No. 30611
520 miles by road
| Measure | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | Reno-Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $98,161 | $87,485 |
| Median gross rent | $2,131 | $1,592 |
| Median home value | $790,700 | $502,300 |
| January average high | 64 F | 48 F |
| July average high | 73 F | 94 F |
| Snow in a normal year | not published | 20.9 in |
Data (read 2026-10-19): OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data, free-flow drive from 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates; NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020; U.S. Census Bureau, State-to-State Migration Flows (ACS 1-year 2024); U.S. Census Bureau, ACS county-to-county migration flows 2016-2020.
Santa Barbara sits on the coast between the mountains and the Pacific, a different world from the high desert you are leaving. Census flows show about 145 people a year moving from Washoe into Santa Barbara County, so some of Reno's households have already made the trip south. What follows covers the Santa Barbara side: climate, housing, tax and DMV rules.
The American Community Survey shows Santa Barbara city at $1,570,800 for median home value and $2,413 for median gross rent, with a median household income of $106,182. The wider Santa Maria-Santa Barbara metro is lower, at $790,700 for a home and $2,131 for rent.
Because six in ten city households rent, many arrivals sign a lease first and buy later. If you rent first, a smaller unit may mean putting part of the household in vault storage at our Sparks warehouse instead of moving all of it at once.
NOAA's normals for the Santa Barbara airport station list a January high of 64.2 degrees and a July high of 73.3, with a July low of 58.1 and 17.25 inches of precipitation a year. Reno's July high is 93.9 and its January low is 26.1.
Expect cooler summers and warmer winters than in Reno. Winter clothing and ski gear take up less room in a closet there, so sort them early and ship only what you will use.
California DMV gives new residents 10 days to get a California driver license and 20 days to register a vehicle from out of state. California taxes wages on a graduated scale that reaches 12.3 percent for the highest 2025 brackets, and the base sales tax rate is 7.25 percent before district add-ons.
Nevada collected no individual income tax in the Census Bureau's fiscal year 2024 state survey. If your paycheck changes, ask a tax professional how a move partway through a year is handled.
You book with O'Brien's after a free in-home estimate in Reno or Sparks; it comes with 10 free heavy-duty boxes. The shipment is carried through the Bekins Van Lines network and your written estimate sets the delivery window. The itemized written estimate and the inventory and condition report before packing are explained in how an interstate move works.
Households with a tight Santa Barbara lease often store furniture in Sparks vaults, from $40 per month, and send for it later with about 2 to 3 weeks of notice.
U.S. DOT No. 30611
MC-109375
Nevada CPCN 1070
Cal PUC T-90973 (as published by O'Brien's)
Bekins Van Lines interstate agent since 1955
Check our USDOT record · Ready to Move? (FMCSA)
Licenses and authority2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431
| Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Saturday and Sunday | Closed |
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Bekins Van Lines network
O'Brien's Moving & Storage has been an agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955. On an interstate move the Bekins network carries your shipment under the van line's interstate system; O'Brien's books the move in either direction. Leaving Northern Nevada, we give the free in-home estimate, pack, store in our Sparks warehouse if you need it, and load. Moving here from another state, you book with us and we coordinate the move from your origin through the Bekins network, then handle delivery, unpacking and storage in Sparks. Your written estimate sets the delivery window. What being a Bekins agent means.
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Still have a question? Call 775-359-6683, Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the moving FAQ.
The American Community Survey lists a median home value of $1,570,800 for Santa Barbara city and $502,300 for the Reno metro. Medians describe areas, not individual homes.
NOAA normals show a January high of 64.2 degrees at the Santa Barbara airport station, against 47.7 in Reno.
California DMV tells new residents to get a California driver license within 10 days of becoming a resident.
What customers say about O'Brien's
Judy H.
I was so satisfied and impressed with O'Brien. My move went perfectly. If I have another move, it will be O'Brien for sure!!
WE ARE THRILLED TO HEAR THE MOVE WENT SO WELL!!!! Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to let us know.
Francie H.
We were referred to O'Brien's Moving and Storage though a friend in Reno. We couldn't be more pleased with the Professionalism and Service. They were quick to set up Luke to come out and give us a quote and scheduled the actual move date right away. Luke was on time for our quote as were the movers on our moving day. All three of the gentlemen who moved us were professional and courteous from start to finish. From the initial phone call to the completion of our move, we felt like we were treated as family. We would definitely use them again and recommend O'Brien's Moving and Storage to our friends in the future.
Francie, Thank you for this amazing review. The result you have expressed is exactly what we all strive to accomplish. I love that you walked away knowing you are now a part of the O'Brien's family, whenever you need us we are a phone call away! I will let the movers know about the kind words expressed about them, that will be very satisfying for all of them. We will look forward to any referrals you send our way, thank you for the opportunity!
Mark S.
Great company and local. They take great care of your moving needs. They are very accommodating and quick to respond. Highly recommend them for your moving needs and storage needs. Thanks to the O'Brien team for doing a fantastic job.
Tell us where you are going. The estimate for a long-distance move starts with a survey of your Reno-area home.
