Moving from Palmdale, CA to Burbank, CA
Relocating between Palmdale, CA and Burbank, CA is a 52 mi drive — 1h 2m 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.
52 mi · 1h 2m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 14, I 5 TRUCK, US 6 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 113.566 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 0.0% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $501,257 to $1,200,885 moving to Burbank.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 16.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Palmdale (63.6°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: PALMDALE, CA US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.44 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% higher in Burbank than Palmdale.
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 Palmdale vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 18.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and Burbank?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Burbank vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (0.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 7.3 in.
How does the job market in Burbank compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 139.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Burbank, CA from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 52 mi and the route typically takes 1h 2m via CA 14 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale 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 52 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 Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Burbank, CA.