Moving from Lincoln, NE to San Antonio, TX
It is 900 mi between Lincoln and San Antonio — roughly 15h 57m 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.
900 mi · 15h 57m 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 | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
Lincoln and San Antonio sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in San Antonio run about 3.4% cheaper — ZHVI $291,062 → $249,810 (2026-03).
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lincoln | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 34.0" |
Annual average temperature jumps 16.7°F — 52.3°F in Lincoln vs 69.0°F in San Antonio, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Antonio sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.66 |
Households in San Antonio earn about 3.4% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Antonio MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 145,480 | $41,700 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 109,390 | $28,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 100,480 | $37,340 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 93,110 | $34,910 |
| Management Occupations | 82,250 | $100,820 |
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 San Antonio average 94°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 (16.7°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 does household income compare in Lincoln vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $69,991 in Lincoln — a 10.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $291,062 in Lincoln — a 14.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to San Antonio?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 900 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 3.4% higher than Lincoln (94.716 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Lincoln and San Antonio?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 69.0°F in San Antonio vs 52.3°F in Lincoln (16.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 26.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.0 in vs 29.3 in.
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 900 mi and the route typically takes 15h 57m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 4 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 · San Antonio, TX.