Moving from Houston, TX to Burbank, CA
It is 1553 mi and 26h 34m from Houston to Burbank — a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1553 mi · 26h 34m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Burbank runs about 15.1% more expensive overall than Houston — RPP 98.629 → 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $264,336 in Houston to $1,200,885 in Burbank, a 15.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 16.5" |
Expect 6.1°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Burbank sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.44 |
Expect median household income to rise 15.1% — $62,894 → $95,816 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Texas 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 — 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
- 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
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Houston vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $62,894 in Houston — a 52.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $264,336 in Houston — a 354.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Burbank more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 15.1% higher than Houston (113.566 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Burbank?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1553 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Burbank compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Burbank, CA from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1553 mi and the route typically takes 26h 34m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Houston and Burbank?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Burbank vs 70.6°F in Houston (6.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 54.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Burbank, CA.