Moving from Tempe, AZ to Burbank, CA
It is a 394 mi drive, roughly 7h 7m, between Tempe, AZ and Burbank, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
394 mi · 7h 7m by car · AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tempe | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Burbank runs about 9.9% more expensive overall than Tempe — RPP 103.316 → 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $468,281 in Tempe to $1,200,885 in Burbank, a 9.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tempe | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 106°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 16.5" |
Annual temperature drops 7.3°F moving to Burbank per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Burbank sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TEMPE ASU, AZ US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.44 |
Burbank households earn about 9.9% more than Tempe at the median — $77,643 → $95,816 on ACS 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 Arizona 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-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
Is Burbank more expensive than Tempe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 9.9% higher than Tempe (113.566 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Burbank, CA from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance is 394 mi and the route typically takes 7h 7m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tempe 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 394 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Tempe and Burbank?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Burbank vs 71.8°F in Tempe (7.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 8.8 in.
How does the job market in Burbank compare to Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $48,600 in the Tempe MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tempe vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $77,643 in Tempe — a 23.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Tempe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $468,281 in Tempe — a 156.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tempe.
City profiles: Tempe, AZ · Burbank, CA.