Moving from Lincoln, NE to Pasadena, CA
It is 1491 mi between Lincoln and Pasadena — roughly 25h 48m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1491 mi · 25h 48m by car · NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Thornton, Denver, Aurora, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Pasadena is 24.0% above Lincoln — one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
24.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lincoln | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 20.1" |
Annual temperature rises 13.7°F moving to Pasadena per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Pasadena — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.39 |
Pasadena households earn about 24.0% more than Lincoln at the median — $69,991 → $103,778 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pasadena MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nebraska and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
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 — 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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.7°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Lincoln and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 52.3°F in Lincoln (13.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 26.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 29.3 in.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $291,062 in Lincoln — a 315.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $69,991 in Lincoln — a 48.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1491 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 1491 mi and the route typically takes 25h 48m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 24.0% higher than Lincoln (113.566 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 · Pasadena, CA.