Moving from Wilmington, NC to Lincoln, NE
Relocating 1359 mi from Wilmington to Lincoln is a 25h 57m drive through 8 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1359 mi · 25h 57m by car · NE → IA → MO → IL → IN → KY → VA → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → IA → MO → IL → IN → KY → VA → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Lincoln | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 91.581 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 76.817 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 94.101 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 84.208 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.0% cheaper overall in Lincoln than Wilmington on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Lincoln +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wilmington | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 26.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 29.3" |
Expect 12.1°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.0 in of snowfall annually at Lincoln.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 291,932 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $69,991 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 26.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.42 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.0% higher in Lincoln than Wilmington.
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 North Carolina 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Lincoln averages 26.0 in annually vs 0.9 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.1°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 — 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 the job market in Lincoln compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 179,040 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lincoln compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,062 in Lincoln vs $416,159 in Wilmington — a 30.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to Lincoln?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1359 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Lincoln?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,991 in Lincoln vs $63,900 in Wilmington — a 9.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Wilmington and Lincoln?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.3°F in Lincoln vs 64.4°F in Wilmington (12.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.0 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 29.3 in vs 60.1 in.
How far is Lincoln, NE from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 1359 mi and the route typically takes 25h 57m via I 64 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lincoln more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lincoln is 5.0% lower than Wilmington (91.581 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC · Lincoln, NE.