Moving from Rochester, MN to Burbank, CA
It is 1897 mi and 33h 4m from Rochester to Burbank — a cross-country move across 8 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.
1897 mi · 33h 4m by car · MN → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Burbank is 25.0% more expensive than Rochester on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $339,455 in Rochester to $1,200,885 in Burbank, a 25.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 16.5" |
Annual average temperature jumps 19.7°F — 44.8°F in Rochester vs 64.5°F in Burbank, per 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: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.44 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 25.0% higher in Burbank than Rochester.
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 Minnesota 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
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 (19.7°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 — 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 Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 25.0% higher than Rochester (113.566 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Burbank?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Burbank vs 44.8°F in Rochester (19.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 34.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Rochester 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 1897 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 9.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 253.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Burbank compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Burbank, CA from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1897 mi and the route typically takes 33h 4m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · Burbank, CA.