Moving from Fairfield, CA to Burbank, CA
Relocating between Fairfield, CA and Burbank, CA is a 378 mi drive — 7h 8m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
378 mi · 7h 8m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 12 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Richmond, Concord, Antioch, Elk Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 108.479 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.7% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $609,269 to $1,200,885 moving to Burbank.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 16.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Fairfield (61.7°F) and Burbank (64.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Burbank gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.44 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.7% lower in Burbank than Fairfield.
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.
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
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 6.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Burbank compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 97.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Burbank?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Burbank vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (2.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 24.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield 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 378 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Burbank more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 4.7% higher than Fairfield (113.566 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Burbank, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 378 mi and the route typically takes 7h 8m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Burbank, CA.