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. Good schools, easy freeway access, its own city services 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. Although it sits inside Los Angeles County, Burbank is an independent city with its own police, fire, water and power, and trash services — so utility accounts, parking permits and bulky-item pickup go through the City of Burbank, not 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. Citywide, Burbank apartments average $2,048 for a studio, $2,598 for a one-bedroom and $3,549 for a two-bedroom (RentCafe, updated September 2, 2026) — a little above Silver Lake ($2,467) and Los Feliz ($2,414) one-bedrooms, so the draw is the city services and short studio commutes, not a discount.

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. Limited rental inventory.

Toluca Lake

The upscale pocket bordering North Hollywood — old money, tree-lined streets, celebrity homes. Rentals are rare, and studios are unusual here.

Northwest Burbank

Adjacent to the airport and major studio lots — practical for entertainment industry workers. Check flight paths before you sign: blocks closest to Hollywood Burbank Airport hear departures.

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 California 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 →