Moving from Lincoln, NE to Wichita, KS
It is a 278 mi drive, roughly 5h 3m, between Lincoln, NE and Wichita, KS. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
278 mi · 5h 3m by car · KS → NE
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → NE |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 135, US 81, I 80 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Wichita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 88.946 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 88.459 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 66.245 | 100.0 |
Lincoln and Wichita 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
Zillow ZHVI drops from $291,062 in Lincoln to $202,720 in Wichita, a 2.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Wichita +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lincoln | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | 12.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 34.3" |
Annual temperature rises 5.4°F moving to Wichita per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Wichita sees 12.7 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, WICHITA, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 396,488 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $63,072 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.52 |
Households in Wichita earn about 2.9% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wichita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,200 | $38,160 |
| Production Occupations | 30,560 | $49,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,850 | $27,770 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 25,880 | $31,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,580 | $37,870 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nebraska and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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
- Winter gear first: Wichita averages 12.7 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 Wichita average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Wichita, KS from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 278 mi and the route typically takes 5h 3m via I 135 and US 81. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Wichita compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $202,720 in Wichita vs $291,062 in Lincoln — a 30.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Wichita more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wichita is 2.9% lower than Lincoln (88.946 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Wichita compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,790 in the Wichita MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 303,910 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Lincoln and Wichita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Wichita vs 52.3°F in Lincoln (5.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 12.7 in vs 26.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.3 in vs 29.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Wichita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 278 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 Wichita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,072 in Wichita vs $69,991 in Lincoln — a 9.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lincoln.
City profiles: Lincoln, NE · Wichita, KS.