Moving from Scottsdale, AZ to Burbank, CA
Moving from Scottsdale, AZ to Burbank, CA covers 408 mi and about 7h 28m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
408 mi Β· 7h 28m by car Β· AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, AZ 101 LOOP |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Scottsdale | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.9% pricier overall in Burbank than Scottsdale on the 2024 BEA RPP.
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 9.9% above Scottsdale at $858,022 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Scottsdale +1.7%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Scottsdale | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 99Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 16.5" |
Burbank is 5.1Β°F cooler on the annual average (69.6Β°F vs 64.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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: PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Scottsdale | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $107,372 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 49.2 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.1% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 2.44 |
Median household income in Burbank is 9.9% below Scottsdale ($107,372 β $95,816, 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 Arizona 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
- 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 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
How far is Burbank, CA from Scottsdale, AZ?
The driving distance is 408 mi and the route typically takes 7h 28m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Scottsdale vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $107,372 in Scottsdale β a 10.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Scottsdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $858,022 in Scottsdale β a 40.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Burbank compare to Scottsdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $48,600 in the Scottsdale MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Scottsdale to Burbank?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 408 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Burbank more expensive than Scottsdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 9.9% higher than Scottsdale (113.566 vs 103.316, 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 Scottsdale.
City profiles: Scottsdale, AZ Β· Burbank, CA.