Moving from Boulder, CO to Lincoln, NE
It is 500 mi between Boulder and Lincoln — roughly 8h 39m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
500 mi · 8h 39m by car · NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, E470 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Aurora, Centennial, Denver, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Lincoln | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 91.581 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 76.817 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 94.101 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 84.208 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 12.9% moving from Boulder to Lincoln — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $964,531 in Boulder to $291,062 in Lincoln, a 12.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Lincoln +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boulder | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | 26.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 29.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 51.5°F vs 52.3°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Lincoln sees 26.0 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 291,932 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $69,991 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 26.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.42 |
Households in Lincoln earn about 12.9% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Lincoln averages 26.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 household income compare in Boulder vs Lincoln?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,991 in Lincoln vs $85,364 in Boulder — a 18.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lincoln more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lincoln is 12.9% lower than Boulder (91.581 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lincoln compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,062 in Lincoln vs $964,531 in Boulder — a 69.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lincoln compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 179,040 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Boulder and Lincoln?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.3°F in Lincoln vs 51.5°F in Boulder (0.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 26.0 in vs 92.8 in. Annual precipitation: 29.3 in vs 21.2 in.
When is the best time to move from Boulder 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 500 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lincoln, NE from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 500 mi and the route typically takes 8h 39m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO · Lincoln, NE.