Moving from San Mateo, CA to Omaha, NE
Cross-country relocations like San Mateo, CA β Omaha, NE cover 1680 mi and about 28h 33m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1680 mi Β· 28h 33m 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 | Lincoln, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Sparks |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Omaha | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 91.911 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 76.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 94.063 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 86.404 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Omaha come in 20.5% under San Mateo β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Omaha typical home at $294,189 is 20.5% under San Mateo at $1,686,905 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Omaha +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | β |
Climate cools by 7.4Β°F on the annual average β 58.7Β°F β 51.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, OMAHA #1, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 488,197 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $72,708 |
| Median age | 38 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 25.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.44 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 20.5% between San Mateo and Omaha (ACS 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
- 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
- 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 much do homes cost in Omaha compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,189 in Omaha vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 82.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Omaha, NE from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 1680 mi and the route typically takes 28h 33m 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 Omaha compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,580 in the Omaha MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 483,970 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Omaha more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Omaha is 20.5% lower than San Mateo (91.911 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Omaha?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,708 in Omaha vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 52.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Omaha?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1680 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 San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Omaha, NE.