Moving from Lincoln, NE to Cincinnati, OH
Relocating 749 mi from Lincoln to Cincinnati is a 14h 2m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
749 mi Β· 14h 2m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β MO β IA β NE
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β MO β IA β NE |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 36, I 74, I 72 |
| Major cities en route | Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Cincinnati | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 95.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 90.954 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 93.751 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 87.608 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 91.581 vs 95.37 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 4.1% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Cincinnati +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lincoln | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 43.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Lincoln (52.3Β°F) and Cincinnati (54.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 309,595 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $51,707 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.17 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.1% β $69,991 β $51,707 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cincinnati MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 134,320 | $43,760 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,420 | $40,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 103,690 | $29,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 91,020 | $35,670 |
| Production Occupations | 77,510 | $44,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nebraska and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Cincinnati?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 749 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cincinnati more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cincinnati is 4.1% higher than Lincoln (95.37 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Cincinnati compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,280 in the Cincinnati MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 1,081,800 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Cincinnati compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,568 in Cincinnati vs $291,062 in Lincoln β a 14.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Cincinnati?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,707 in Cincinnati vs $69,991 in Lincoln β a 26.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Cincinnati, OH from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 749 mi and the route typically takes 14h 2m via US 36 and I 74. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lincoln.
City profiles: Lincoln, NE Β· Cincinnati, OH.