Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Burbank, CA
A 2728 mi cross-country move between Virginia Beach and Burbank is 48h 3m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2728 mi · 48h 3m by car · VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 16.0% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 16.0% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $427,032 to $1,200,885 moving to Burbank.
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 16.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Virginia Beach (59.8°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: OCEANA NAS, VA US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.44 |
Households in Burbank earn about 16.0% more at the median — 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 Virginia 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
Is Burbank more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 16.0% higher than Virginia Beach (113.566 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach — a 181.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach — a 5.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Burbank, CA from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 2728 mi and the route typically takes 48h 3m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Virginia Beach and Burbank?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Burbank vs 59.8°F in Virginia Beach (4.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.4 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 46.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach 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 2728 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Burbank compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 737,200 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 Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA · Burbank, CA.