Moving from Downey, CA to Lincoln, NE
A move from Downey, CA to Lincoln, NE covers 1499 mi and around 25h 57m of driving through 6 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1499 mi Β· 25h 57m by car Β· NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Denver, Aurora, Thornton, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Lincoln | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 91.581 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 76.817 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 94.101 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 84.208 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Lincoln are 19.4% below Downey β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lincoln typical home at $291,062 is 19.4% under Downey at $888,710 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Lincoln +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 26.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 29.3" |
Lincoln is 12.6Β°F cooler on the annual average (64.9Β°F vs 52.3Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Significant snow at the destination: Lincoln sees 26.0 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 291,932 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $69,991 |
| Median age | 37 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 26.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.42 |
Median household income in Lincoln is 19.4% below Downey ($87,400 β $69,991, ACS 2023).
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 California 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Lincoln averages 26.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.6Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornado season peaks May through July β 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 household income compare in Downey vs Lincoln?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,991 in Lincoln vs $87,400 in Downey β a 19.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lincoln compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,062 in Lincoln vs $888,710 in Downey β a 67.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lincoln, NE from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 1499 mi and the route typically takes 25h 57m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Lincoln?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1499 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Lincoln compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 179,040 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lincoln more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lincoln is 19.4% lower than Downey (91.581 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Lincoln, NE.