Moving from Lincoln, NE to Provo, UT
It is 898 mi between Lincoln and Provo — roughly 15h 13m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
898 mi · 15h 13m by car · NE → WY → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → WY → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 189, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Provo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 98.232 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 78.63 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 104.081 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 7.3% above Lincoln — 91.581 → 98.232 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.3% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Provo +2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lincoln | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 24°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | 44.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 17.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 44.9 in of snowfall annually at Provo.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, PROVO BYU, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 114,303 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $62,800 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 23.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 31.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 3.35 |
Households in Provo earn about 7.3% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Provo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 40,750 | $38,840 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 24,860 | $36,930 |
| Management Occupations | 24,030 | $105,290 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,860 | $29,550 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 19,880 | $63,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nebraska and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Provo averages 44.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Provo average 95°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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Provo more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Provo is 7.3% higher than Lincoln (98.232 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Provo compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $484,203 in Provo vs $291,062 in Lincoln — a 66.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Provo compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,700 in the Provo MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 293,170 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Provo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 898 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Provo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,800 in Provo vs $69,991 in Lincoln — a 10.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Provo, UT from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 898 mi and the route typically takes 15h 13m via I 80 and US 189. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Lincoln and Provo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.6°F in Provo vs 52.3°F in Lincoln (2.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 44.9 in vs 26.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.2 in vs 29.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lincoln.
City profiles: Lincoln, NE · Provo, UT.