Moving from Sunnyvale, CA to Burbank, CA
The 338 mi from Sunnyvale to Burbank translate to about 6h 22m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
338 mi Β· 6h 22m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 152 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, San Mateo, Santa Clara |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sunnyvale | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Sunnyvale (110.423) and Burbank (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Burbank: 2.8% below Sunnyvale on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sunnyvale -0.1%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sunnyvale | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 16.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Burbank β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CA US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sunnyvale | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $181,862 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.3% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.44 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.8% between Sunnyvale 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.
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
- 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.
Frequently asked
Is Burbank more expensive than Sunnyvale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 2.8% higher than Sunnyvale (113.566 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Sunnyvale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale β a 44.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Burbank compare to Sunnyvale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $81,470 in the Sunnyvale MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Sunnyvale vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $181,862 in Sunnyvale β a 47.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Burbank, CA from Sunnyvale, CA?
The driving distance is 338 mi and the route typically takes 6h 22m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Sunnyvale to Burbank?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 338 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sunnyvale.
City profiles: Sunnyvale, CA Β· Burbank, CA.