Moving to Burbank from Los Angeles: Neighborhoods, Costs & What to Expect

Burbank is one of the most popular destinations for people leaving the City of Los Angeles — and for good reason. Lower rents than comparable LA neighborhoods, good schools, easy freeway access, and a quieter pace of life have made it a go-to for families, entertainment industry workers, and remote workers who no longer need to be in the city core. Here's what to know before you move.

Burbank at a glance

Burbank is a city of about 105,000 in the eastern San Fernando Valley, bordered by Glendale, Toluca Lake, and the Verdugo Mountains. It's often called the "Media Capital of the World" — Warner Bros., Disney, and many production studios are headquartered here. Despite being surrounded by LA County, Burbank is an independent city with its own police, fire, water, and trash departments — one reason residents report noticeably faster response times and more consistent city services than in the City of LA.

Burbank neighborhoods worth knowing

Downtown Burbank (Magnolia Park / Media District)

San Fernando Boulevard and Magnolia Boulevard form Burbank's walkable downtown — restaurants, vintage shops, coffee bars, and weekend farmers markets. Rents here are higher than Burbank's average but still well below comparable Silver Lake or Los Feliz pricing. Studio apartments: $1,500–$1,900/month. 1BR: $1,900–$2,500/month.

Rancho / South Burbank

The quietest residential area — streets of single-family homes, few apartments, near Griffith Park and the LA River trail. Most residents are long-term homeowners. Median home prices hover around $900K–$1.1M. Limited rental inventory.

Toluca Lake

The upscale pocket bordering North Hollywood — old money, tree-lined streets, celebrity homes. Rentals are rare; when available, 1BR apartments start around $2,400. Studios are unusual here.

Northwest Burbank

Adjacent to the airport and major studio lots — practical for entertainment industry workers. Rents are Burbank's most affordable. 1BR: $1,700–$2,100/month. Noise from Bob Hope Airport is minimal given its traffic levels.

Moving costs: Los Angeles to Burbank

The drive from central LA neighborhoods to Burbank typically runs 20–35 minutes depending on traffic and origin. Under California's CPUC double drive time rule, a 25-minute drive bills as 50 minutes of labor time.

Estimates include double drive time from West Hollywood / Silver Lake origin. Hillside homes and buildings with stairs are at the lower end of the crew count for the space — add one mover for faster handling. Get a written quote for your LA to Burbank move.

What's different about living in Burbank vs. LA

Parking: Street parking is significantly easier than in most LA neighborhoods. Most Burbank residential streets are residential-permit-only but permits are free or low-cost for residents.
Schools: Burbank Unified School District is consistently rated above the LAUSD average. A meaningful factor for families.
Grocery and errands: Burbank has a dense concentration of grocery stores, big-box retail, and services along Empire Ave and Magnolia — comparable convenience to LA without the traffic of a major urban core.
Nightlife: Significantly quieter than LA. A few solid bars and restaurants downtown, but not a scene city. Residents who want nightlife drive to NoHo or Los Feliz.
Commute to central LA: The 5 freeway and surface streets via Cahuenga or Lankershim make the commute to Hollywood, DTLA, or Koreatown 25–45 minutes off-peak. During rush hour it can double — plan accordingly.

Tips for your LA-to-Burbank move

Burbank's residential streets are generally easier to navigate than dense LA neighborhoods, but some areas near the studio lots have no-parking zones during production hours — check signage before booking trucks. Most apartment buildings in downtown Burbank require a reservation for the freight elevator or designated moving time. Best Movers LA handles all logistics including elevator reservations and parking coordination before move day.

Full LA moving cost & FAQ guide →