Moving from Omaha, NE to Seattle, WA
A 1662 mi cross-country move between Omaha and Seattle is 28h 50m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1662 mi Β· 28h 50m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β IA β NE
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β IA β NE |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Omaha | Seattle | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.911 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.378 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.063 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.404 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Seattle is 20.9% above Omaha β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
20.9% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Omaha +1.2%, Seattle -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Omaha | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 37.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Seattle gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OMAHA #1, NE US, SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Omaha | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 741,440 |
| Median household income | $72,708 | $121,984 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.6% | 37.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.1 |
Seattle households earn about 20.9% more than Omaha at the median β $72,708 β $121,984 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Seattle MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nebraska and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Omaha vs Seattle?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $121,984 in Seattle vs $72,708 in Omaha β a 67.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Seattle compare to Omaha?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Seattle MSA vs $47,580 in the Omaha MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 483,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Seattle more expensive than Omaha?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Seattle is 20.9% higher than Omaha (111.133 vs 91.911, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Seattle, WA from Omaha, NE?
The driving distance is 1662 mi and the route typically takes 28h 50m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Seattle compared to Omaha?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $868,680 in Seattle vs $294,189 in Omaha β a 195.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Omaha to Seattle?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1662 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 Omaha.
City profiles: Omaha, NE Β· Seattle, WA.