Moving from Austin, TX to Burbank, CA
It is 1388 mi between Austin and Burbank — roughly 23h 55m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1388 mi · 23h 55m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 290, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.8% above Austin — 98.066 → 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.8% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 16.5" |
Annual temperature drops 5.5°F moving to Burbank per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Burbank — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.44 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Burbank MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Austin vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $91,461 in Austin — a 4.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Burbank compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Burbank, CA from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 1388 mi and the route typically takes 23h 55m via I 10 and US 290. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Burbank more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 15.8% higher than Austin (113.566 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $508,530 in Austin — a 136.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Austin and Burbank?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Burbank vs 70.0°F in Austin (5.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 36.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Austin to Burbank?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1388 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · Burbank, CA.