Moving from Concord, NC to Lincoln, NE
Relocating 1172 mi from Concord to Lincoln is a 22h 12m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1172 mi · 22h 12m by car · NE → IA → MO → IL → KY → TN → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → IA → MO → IL → KY → TN → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 70, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Overland Park, Kansas City, Independence, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Lincoln | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.348 | 91.581 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.164 | 76.817 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.58 | 94.101 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.635 | 84.208 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.9% cheaper overall in Lincoln than Concord on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.9% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Concord -1.9%, Lincoln +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Concord | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.3" | 26.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 29.3" |
Expect 8.4°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.0 in of snowfall annually at Lincoln.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CONCORD, NC US, LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 291,932 |
| Median household income | $84,752 | $69,991 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.3% | 26.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.42 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.9% lower in Lincoln than Concord.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lincoln MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,500 | $40,590 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,810 | $29,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 14,720 | $35,130 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,440 | $43,440 |
| Management Occupations | 13,270 | $99,080 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Nebraska
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nebraska'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Lincoln averages 26.0 in annually vs 3.3 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Tornado season peaks May through July — identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Nebraska after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Lincoln compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA vs $47,830 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 179,040 and 1,311,360 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lincoln compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,062 in Lincoln vs $382,592 in Concord — a 23.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lincoln, NE from Concord, NC?
The driving distance is 1172 mi and the route typically takes 22h 12m via I 24 and I 70. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Lincoln?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,991 in Lincoln vs $84,752 in Concord — a 17.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Lincoln?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1172 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Lincoln more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lincoln is 5.9% lower than Concord (91.581 vs 97.348, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Concord and Lincoln?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.3°F in Lincoln vs 60.7°F in Concord (8.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.0 in vs 3.3 in. Annual precipitation: 29.3 in vs 47.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Concord.
City profiles: Concord, NC · Lincoln, NE.