Moving from San Mateo, CA to Lincoln, NE
It is 1632 mi and 27h 46m from San Mateo to Lincoln 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
| San Mateo | Lincoln | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 91.581 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 76.817 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 94.101 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 84.208 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 115.613 in San Mateo to 91.581 in Lincoln, a 20.8% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 20.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,686,905 to $291,062 moving to Lincoln.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Lincoln +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 26.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 29.3" |
Expect 6.4Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Lincoln averages 26.0 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 291,932 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $69,991 |
| Median age | 38 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 26.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.42 |
Expect median household income to fall 20.8% β $152,669 β $69,991 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lincoln MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,500 | $40,590 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,810 | $29,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 14,720 | $35,130 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,440 | $43,440 |
| Management Occupations | 13,270 | $99,080 |
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
- 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
- Winter gear first: Lincoln averages 26.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 San Mateo vs Lincoln?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,991 in Lincoln vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 54.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Lincoln?
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.
Is Lincoln more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lincoln is 20.8% lower than San Mateo (91.581 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Lincoln, NE from San Mateo, CA?
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 Lincoln compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 179,040 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lincoln compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,062 in Lincoln vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 82.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Lincoln, NE.