Moving from Bellevue, WA to Lincoln, NE
Cross-country relocations like Bellevue, WA → Lincoln, NE cover 1656 mi and about 28h 20m of driving through 6 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.
1656 mi · 28h 20m by car · NE → WY → UT → ID → OR → WA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → WY → UT → ID → OR → WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 97 |
| Major cities en route | Salt Lake City, Boise City, Meridian, Nampa, Kent |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | Lincoln | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 91.581 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 76.817 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 94.101 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 84.208 | 100.0 |
Lincoln is 17.6% cheaper than Bellevue overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Lincoln is 17.6% below Bellevue — $1,516,154 vs $291,062 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Lincoln +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Bellevue | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 26.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 29.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Bellevue (53.2°F) and Lincoln (52.3°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Lincoln averages 26.0 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 291,932 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $69,991 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 26.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.42 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 17.6% between Bellevue and Lincoln (ACS 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 Washington 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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 far is Lincoln, NE from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 1656 mi and the route typically takes 28h 20m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue 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 1656 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Lincoln more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lincoln is 17.6% lower than Bellevue (91.581 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lincoln compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA, on total employment of 179,040 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Bellevue and Lincoln?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.3°F in Lincoln vs 53.2°F in Bellevue (0.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.0 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 29.3 in vs 37.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Lincoln compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,062 in Lincoln vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue — a 80.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Bellevue vs Lincoln?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,991 in Lincoln vs $161,300 in Bellevue — a 56.6% lower 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 Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA · Lincoln, NE.