Moving from South Bend, IN to Omaha, NE
It is 548 mi between South Bend and Omaha β roughly 10h 21m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
548 mi Β· 10h 21m by car Β· NE β IA β IL β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β IA β IL β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, SR 2, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| South Bend | Omaha | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.858 | 91.911 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.733 | 76.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.221 | 94.063 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.586 | 86.404 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: South Bend +4.9%, Omaha +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | South Bend | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.9" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: S BEND, IN US, OMAHA #1, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | South Bend | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 488,197 |
| Median household income | $52,512 | $72,708 |
| Median age | 33.9 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 25.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.44 |
Omaha households earn about 1.0% more than South Bend at the median β $52,512 β $72,708 on 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 Indiana 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.
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 far is Omaha, NE from South Bend, IN?
The driving distance is 548 mi and the route typically takes 10h 21m via I 80 and SR 2. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Omaha compared to South Bend?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,189 in Omaha vs $192,340 in South Bend β a 53.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Omaha compare to South Bend?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,580 in the Omaha MSA vs $44,420 in the South Bend MSA, on total employment of 483,970 and 129,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from South Bend to Omaha?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 548 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Omaha more expensive than South Bend?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Omaha is 1.0% lower than South Bend (91.911 vs 92.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in South Bend vs Omaha?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,708 in Omaha vs $52,512 in South Bend β a 38.5% higher 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 South Bend.
City profiles: South Bend, IN Β· Omaha, NE.