Moving from Tampa, FL to Burbank, CA
Moving from Tampa, FL to Burbank, CA is a 2535 mi cross-country relocation — about 44h 23m of driving through 8 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.
2535 mi · 44h 23m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Clearwater, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Mobile |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 100.89 in Tampa to 113.566 in Burbank, a 12.6% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Burbank: 12.6% above Tampa on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tampa | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 16.5" |
Burbank is 10.0°F cooler on the annual average (74.5°F vs 64.5°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Burbank — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.44 |
Median household income in Burbank is 12.6% above Tampa ($71,302 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 Florida 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.0°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 the job market in Burbank compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Tampa 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 2535 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Burbank more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 12.6% higher than Tampa (113.566 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Tampa and Burbank?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Burbank vs 74.5°F in Tampa (10.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 49.5 in.
How far is Burbank, CA from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 2535 mi and the route typically takes 44h 23m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $71,302 in Tampa — a 34.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $374,888 in Tampa — a 220.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL · Burbank, CA.