Moving from Burbank, CA to Richmond, VA
Moving from Burbank, CA to Richmond, VA is a 2621 mi cross-country relocation — about 45h 57m 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.
2621 mi · 45h 57m 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, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Norman |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Burbank | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Richmond are 13.8% below Burbank — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Richmond typical home at $369,646 is 13.8% under Burbank at $1,200,885 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Burbank -2.4%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Burbank | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.5" | 45.5" |
Richmond is 5.6°F cooler on the annual average (64.5°F vs 58.9°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Expect 8.8 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Burbank | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,165 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $95,816 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.23 |
Median household income in Richmond is 13.8% below Burbank ($95,816 vs $62,671, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Virginia
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 — 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Burbank?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $50,490 in the Burbank MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Richmond, VA from Burbank, CA?
The driving distance is 2621 mi and the route typically takes 45h 57m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Richmond more expensive than Burbank?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 13.8% lower than Burbank (97.858 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Burbank?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $1,200,885 in Burbank — a 69.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Burbank vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $95,816 in Burbank — a 34.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Burbank to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2621 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 Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Richmond vs 64.5°F in Burbank (5.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 45.5 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 · Richmond, VA.