Moving from Lincoln, NE to Aurora, CO
Moving from Lincoln, NE to Aurora, CO covers 485 mi and about 8h 16m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
485 mi Β· 8h 16m by car Β· CO β NE
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, E470 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Aurora is 15.5% higher than Lincoln, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Aurora is 15.5% above Lincoln β $291,062 vs $463,081 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Aurora -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lincoln | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Lincoln (52.3Β°F) and Aurora (50.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 390,201 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $84,320 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.73 |
Median household income in Aurora is 15.5% above Lincoln ($69,991 vs $84,320, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nebraska and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Aurora average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $463,081 in Aurora vs $291,062 in Lincoln β a 59.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 485 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 Aurora compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Aurora MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Aurora, CO from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 485 mi and the route typically takes 8h 16m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,320 in Aurora vs $69,991 in Lincoln β a 20.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Aurora more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 15.5% higher than Lincoln (105.782 vs 91.581, 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 Lincoln.
City profiles: Lincoln, NE Β· Aurora, CO.