Moving from Columbus, OH to Burbank, CA
Cross-country relocations like Columbus, OH β Burbank, CA cover 2249 mi and about 39h 35m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2249 mi Β· 39h 35m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Dayton, St Louis, Springfield, Tulsa, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbus | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.469 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.523 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.945 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Burbank is 19.0% higher than Columbus, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Burbank is 19.0% above Columbus β $245,979 vs $1,200,885 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Columbus -0.5%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbus | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | 16.5" |
Climate warms by 11.7Β°F on the annual average β 52.8Β°F β 64.5Β°F.
Burbank gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLUMBUS WCMH, OH US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbus | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $65,327 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 33 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.1% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.44 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 19.0% between Columbus and Burbank (ACS 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 Ohio 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Burbank?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2249 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Burbank, CA from Columbus, OH?
The driving distance is 2249 mi and the route typically takes 39h 35m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Columbus vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $65,327 in Columbus β a 46.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Columbus?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $245,979 in Columbus β a 388.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Burbank compare to Columbus?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $47,970 in the Columbus MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,067,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Burbank more expensive than Columbus?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 19.0% higher than Columbus (113.566 vs 95.469, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbus.
City profiles: Columbus, OH Β· Burbank, CA.