Moving from Pasadena, CA to Omaha, NE
Moving from Pasadena, CA to Omaha, NE is a 1538 mi cross-country relocation β about 26h 36m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1538 mi Β· 26h 36m by car Β· NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Lincoln, Greeley, Aurora, Thornton, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Omaha | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 91.911 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 76.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 94.063 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 86.404 | 100.0 |
Omaha is 19.1% cheaper than Pasadena overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Omaha is 19.1% below Pasadena β $1,209,228 vs $294,189 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Omaha +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pasadena | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | β |
Omaha is 14.7Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.0Β°F vs 51.3Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PASADENA, CA US, OMAHA #1, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 488,197 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $72,708 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 25.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.44 |
Median household income in Omaha is 19.1% below Pasadena ($103,778 vs $72,708, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Omaha MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 58,590 | $42,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 45,020 | $30,130 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 43,680 | $35,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 41,730 | $39,370 |
| Management Occupations | 37,950 | $104,990 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Nebraska
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nebraska'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.7Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornado season peaks May through July β identify a safe room or interior space 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 Nebraska after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Omaha?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,708 in Omaha vs $103,778 in Pasadena β a 29.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Omaha compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,189 in Omaha vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena β a 75.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to Omaha?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1538 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Omaha more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Omaha is 19.1% lower than Pasadena (91.911 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Omaha compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,580 in the Omaha MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 483,970 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Omaha, NE from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 1538 mi and the route typically takes 26h 36m via I 70 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 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 Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA Β· Omaha, NE.