Moving from Burbank, CA to Tempe, AZ
It is a 394 mi drive, roughly 7h 7m, between Burbank, CA and Tempe, AZ. 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
| Burbank | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.0% cheaper overall in Tempe than Burbank on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Burbank -2.4%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Burbank | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.5" | 8.8" |
Annual temperature rises 7.3°F moving to Tempe per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Tempe — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Burbank | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,165 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $95,816 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.42 |
Households in Tempe earn about 9.0% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tempe average 106°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Tempe more expensive than Burbank?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 9.0% lower than Burbank (103.316 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Burbank, CA?
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 Burbank to Tempe?
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.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Burbank?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $1,200,885 in Burbank — a 61.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Burbank vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $95,816 in Burbank — a 19.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Burbank?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $50,490 in the Burbank MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Burbank and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 64.5°F in Burbank (7.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 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 · Tempe, AZ.