Moving from Berkeley, CA to Omaha, NE
Moving from Berkeley, CA to Omaha, NE is a 1652 mi cross-country relocation β about 27h 56m of driving through 5 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1652 mi Β· 27h 56m 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, I 15, I 680 |
| 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
| Berkeley | 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 price level runs 20.5% below Berkeley β a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (115.613 β 91.911, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Omaha is 20.5% below Berkeley β $1,443,684 vs $294,189 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Berkeley -1.2%, Omaha +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Berkeley | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 26.1" | β |
Omaha is 7.2Β°F cooler on the annual average (58.5Β°F vs 51.3Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BERKELEY, CA US, OMAHA #1, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Berkeley | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 488,197 |
| Median household income | $108,558 | $72,708 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.4% | 25.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.44 |
Median household income in Omaha is 20.5% below Berkeley ($108,558 vs $72,708, ACS 5-year 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 does household income compare in Berkeley vs Omaha?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,708 in Omaha vs $108,558 in Berkeley β a 33.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Omaha more expensive than Berkeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Omaha is 20.5% lower than Berkeley (91.911 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Omaha, NE from Berkeley, CA?
The driving distance is 1652 mi and the route typically takes 27h 56m via I 80 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Berkeley to Omaha?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1652 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Omaha compare to Berkeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,580 in the Omaha MSA vs $72,050 in the Berkeley 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.
How much do homes cost in Omaha compared to Berkeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,189 in Omaha vs $1,443,684 in Berkeley β a 79.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Berkeley.
City profiles: Berkeley, CA Β· Omaha, NE.