Moving from Lincoln, NE to San Mateo, CA
It is 1632 mi and 27h 46m from Lincoln to San Mateo β a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1632 mi Β· 27h 46m by car Β· NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 101, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Salt Lake City, West Jordan, West Valley City, Sparks, Reno |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
San Mateo is 26.2% more expensive than Lincoln on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $291,062 in Lincoln to $1,686,905 in San Mateo, a 26.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lincoln | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 19.6" |
Expect 6.4Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 26.2% β $69,991 β $152,669 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β 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.
- 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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $291,062 in Lincoln β a 479.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Mateo more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 26.2% higher than Lincoln (115.613 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 1632 mi and the route typically takes 27h 46m via I 80 and US 101. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 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 San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $69,991 in Lincoln β a 118.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1632 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lincoln.
City profiles: Lincoln, NE Β· San Mateo, CA.