Moving from Burbank, CA to Chesapeake, VA

Moving from Burbank, CA to Chesapeake, VA is a 2727 mi cross-country relocation β€” about 48h 6m 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.

2727 mi Β· 48h 6m by car Β· VA β†’ TN β†’ AR β†’ OK β†’ TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ β†’ CA

COL -13.8% Home values -65.0% Ξ” -1.5Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
2727 mi
Drive time
48h 6m
States
8
Fuel (25 mpg)
109 gal
Route throughVA β†’ TN β†’ AR β†’ OK β†’ TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ β†’ CA
Primary highwaysI 40, I 81, I 64
Major cities en routeVirginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

BurbankChesapeakeU.S. avg
All items (RPP)113.56697.941100.0
Rents158.58989.579100.0
Goods106.62396.767100.0
Services170.43399.805100.0

RPP moves from 113.566 to 97.941, putting Chesapeake roughly 13.8% below Burbank on the overall price level.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Burbank β€” typical home
$1,200,885
Chesapeake β€” typical home
$420,756
Burbank β€” typical rent
$2,824/mo
Chesapeake β€” typical rent
$2,031/mo

Homes run dramatically cheaper in Chesapeake: 13.8% below Burbank on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: Burbank -2.4%, Chesapeake +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsBurbankChesapeake
Annual avg temperature65Β°F63Β°F
January avg low43Β°F34Β°F
July avg high86Β°F93Β°F
Annual snowfall0.0"β€”
Annual precipitation16.5"48.6"

No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, FENTRESS NAAS, VA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023BurbankChesapeake
Population105,165251,153
Median household income$95,816$94,189
Median age39.837.7
Bachelor's degree or higher31%22.4%
Avg household size2.442.72

No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Burbank MSA β€” median wage
$50,490
Chesapeake MSA β€” median wage
$46,990
Burbank MSA β€” employment
6,185,570
Chesapeake MSA β€” employment
737,200

Top occupations in Chesapeake MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 82,690 $39,820
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 71,490 $29,090
Sales and Related Occupations 69,500 $31,880
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 59,850 $38,810
Business and Financial Operations Occupations 57,140 $79,090

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between California and Virginia

California income tax
13.3% top marginal
Virginia income tax
5.75% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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 β€” 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

  • Air conditioning matters: July highs in Chesapeake average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
  • 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 Virginia after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

How far is Chesapeake, VA from Burbank, CA?

The driving distance is 2727 mi and the route typically takes 48h 6m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How much do homes cost in Chesapeake compared to Burbank?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $420,756 in Chesapeake vs $1,200,885 in Burbank β€” a 65.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

When is the best time to move from Burbank to Chesapeake?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2727 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How does household income compare in Burbank vs Chesapeake?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,189 in Chesapeake vs $95,816 in Burbank β€” a 1.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Is Chesapeake more expensive than Burbank?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chesapeake is 13.8% lower than Burbank (97.941 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How does the job market in Chesapeake compare to Burbank?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Chesapeake MSA vs $50,490 in the Burbank MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 6,185,570 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 Burbank.

City profiles: Burbank, CA Β· Chesapeake, VA.

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