Moving from Burbank, CA to Fresno, CA

Moving from Burbank, CA to Fresno, CA covers 211 mi and about 3h 57m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.

211 mi · 3h 57m by car · CA

COL -10.0% Home values -67.4% Δ +0.5°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
211 mi
Drive time
3h 57m
States
1
Fuel (25 mpg)
8 gal
Route throughCA
Primary highwaysCA 99, I 5, I 5 TRUCK
Major cities en routeClovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita

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

Cost of living

BurbankFresnoU.S. avg
All items (RPP)113.566102.158100.0
Rents158.589161.01100.0
Goods106.623105.168100.0
Services170.43395.725100.0

Fresno is 10.0% cheaper than Burbank overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).

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

Housing prices

Burbank — typical home
$1,200,885
Fresno — typical home
$391,328
Burbank — typical rent
$2,824/mo
Fresno — typical rent
$1,900/mo

Typical home value in Fresno is 10.0% below Burbank — $1,200,885 vs $391,328 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: Burbank -2.4%, Fresno +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsBurbankFresno
Annual avg temperature65°F65°F
January avg low43°F41°F
July avg high86°F98°F
Annual snowfall0.0"0.0"
Annual precipitation16.5"11.0"

Annual average temperatures in Burbank (64.5°F) and Fresno (65.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).

Fresno 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: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023BurbankFresno
Population105,165543,615
Median household income$95,816$66,804
Median age39.832.4
Bachelor's degree or higher31%16.7%
Avg household size2.443.03

Median household income in Fresno is 10.0% below Burbank ($95,816 vs $66,804, ACS 5-year 2023).

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

Jobs & wages

Burbank MSA — median wage
$50,490
Fresno MSA — median wage
$44,530
Burbank MSA — employment
6,185,570
Fresno MSA — employment
408,820

Top occupations in Fresno MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 46,600 $45,210
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 40,930 $38,480
Healthcare Support Occupations 35,500 $32,240
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 33,440 $33,710
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations 32,010 $59,270

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

  • Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fresno average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
  • Dry climate: Fresno sees only 11.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
  • 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 Burbank vs Fresno?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,804 in Fresno vs $95,816 in Burbank — a 30.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How does the job market in Fresno compare to Burbank?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Fresno MSA vs $50,490 in the Burbank MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How far is Fresno, CA from Burbank, CA?

The driving distance is 211 mi and the route typically takes 3h 57m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How much do homes cost in Fresno compared to Burbank?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $391,328 in Fresno vs $1,200,885 in Burbank — a 67.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

Is Fresno more expensive than Burbank?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fresno is 10.0% lower than Burbank (102.158 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

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

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 211 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

What is the climate difference between Burbank and Fresno?

On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Fresno vs 64.5°F in Burbank (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 16.5 in.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Burbank.

City profiles: Burbank, CA · Fresno, CA.

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