Moving from Pittsburgh, PA to Burbank, CA
Cross-country relocations like Pittsburgh, PA β Burbank, CA cover 2431 mi and about 43h 10m of driving through 10 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.
2431 mi Β· 43h 10m by car Β· PA β OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 70, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Columbus, Dayton, St Louis, Springfield, Tulsa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pittsburgh | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.671 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.711 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.684 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.986 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 20.0% pricier overall price level β 94.671 β 113.566 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Burbank typical home at $1,200,885 is 20.0% above Pittsburgh at $237,533 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Pittsburgh -0.4%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pittsburgh | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.3" | 16.5" |
Climate warms by 12.1Β°F on the annual average β 52.4Β°F β 64.5Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Burbank sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pittsburgh | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $64,137 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.6% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 2.21 | 2.44 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 20.0% between Pittsburgh 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 Pennsylvania 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.1Β°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
Is Burbank more expensive than Pittsburgh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 20.0% higher than Pittsburgh (113.566 vs 94.671, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Pittsburgh vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $64,137 in Pittsburgh β a 49.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Pittsburgh to Burbank?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2431 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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The driving distance is 2431 mi and the route typically takes 43h 10m via I 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Pittsburgh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $237,533 in Pittsburgh β a 405.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Burbank compare to Pittsburgh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,071,900 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pittsburgh.
City profiles: Pittsburgh, PA Β· Burbank, CA.