Moving from Lincoln, NE to Brownsville, TX
It is 1150 mi between Lincoln and Brownsville β roughly 20h 33m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1150 mi Β· 20h 33m by car Β· NE β KS β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β KS β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 81, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Wichita, Oklahoma City, Norman, Denton, Frisco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.1% cheaper overall in Brownsville than Lincoln on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lincoln | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | β |
Annual average temperature gap of 22.1Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 3.21 |
Brownsville households earn about 6.1% less than Lincoln at the median β $69,991 β $48,675 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
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 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Brownsville average 92Β°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 (22.1Β°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 does the job market in Brownsville compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $291,062 in Lincoln β a 32.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1150 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 6.1% lower than Lincoln (85.975 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 1150 mi and the route typically takes 20h 33m via I 35 and US 81. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $69,991 in Lincoln β a 30.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lincoln.
City profiles: Lincoln, NE Β· Brownsville, TX.