Moving from Memphis, TN to Burbank, CA
Moving from Memphis, TN to Burbank, CA is a 1803 mi cross-country relocation — about 31h 1m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1803 mi · 31h 1m by car · TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Burbank runs 23.2% higher than Memphis — a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (92.179 → 113.566, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Burbank is 23.2% above Memphis — $144,710 vs $1,200,885 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 16.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Memphis (63.4°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: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.44 |
Median household income in Burbank is 23.2% above Memphis ($51,211 vs $95,816, ACS 5-year 2023).
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 Tennessee 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 729.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Memphis and Burbank?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Burbank vs 63.4°F in Memphis (1.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 54.9 in.
How far is Burbank, CA from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 1803 mi and the route typically takes 31h 1m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 87.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Memphis 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 1803 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Burbank more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 23.2% higher than Memphis (113.566 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Burbank compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Burbank, CA.