Moving from Lincoln, NE to Austin, TX
A move from Lincoln, NE to Austin, TX covers 819 mi and around 14h 26m of driving through 4 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.
819 mi · 14h 26m by car · TX → OK → KS → NE
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → KS → NE |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, I 135 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.1% pricier overall in Austin than Lincoln on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Austin typical home at $508,530 is 7.1% above Lincoln at $291,062 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lincoln | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 36.3" |
NOAA normals show Austin running 17.7°F above Lincoln on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 7.1% above Lincoln ($69,991 vs $91,461, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nebraska and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.7°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Austin, TX from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 819 mi and the route typically takes 14h 26m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $291,062 in Lincoln — a 74.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Lincoln and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 52.3°F in Lincoln (17.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 26.0 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 29.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 819 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $69,991 in Lincoln — a 30.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Austin more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 7.1% higher than Lincoln (98.066 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 · Austin, TX.