Cost of Living in Burbank, CA

Population 5,552 · California · Data vintage 2023

294
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Burbank's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $1.1 million for a typical home, 265% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $152,559 that put it in the upper third of the state. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.7% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Burbank is part of the immediate Santa Clara metro area — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 27% lower than Santa Clara's $1.5 million.

Cost Overview

Housing 365
Rent 187

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Burbank

The median home value in Burbank is $1,113,400 — 265% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,460/month, 87% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $152,559/year is 105% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Burbank has a cost of living index of 294 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 194% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$1,113,400
265% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$1,182,520
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,460/mo
87% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,870/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
37.7x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,195
1 BR
$1,241
2 BR
$1,544
3 BR
$2,163
4 BR
$2,556
Owner-occupied 59.0%
Renter-occupied 41.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,460
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $3,074/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
25.5 min
6% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
18.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
67.6%
Carpooled
5.5%
Public transit
4.6%
Walked
3.1%
Work from home
18.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 13.3%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 7.3%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$152,559
105% above avg
Per Capita Income
$65,491
Unemployment Rate
1.7%
64% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Labor Force Participation
80.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 31.0%
Graduate degree 15.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.8
Male median age 35.5
Female median age 36.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 67 — Moderate
11.2%
Good air days/yr
210
Max AQI recorded
203
PM2.5 days
150
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Burbank, CA?

Burbank has a cost index of 294 (100 = national average). It is 194% above the national average.

What is average rent in Burbank, CA?

The median gross rent in Burbank is $2,460 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Burbank?

The median home value in Burbank is $1,113,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Burbank?

The median household income in Burbank is $152,559 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Burbank, CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Burbank is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is Burbank, CA affordable?

Burbank is above average in cost of living, with an index of 294 — about 194% higher than the national average.