Moving from Cleveland, OH to Lincoln, NE
It is 849 mi between Cleveland and Lincoln β roughly 15h 41m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
849 mi Β· 15h 41m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Joliet |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cleveland | Lincoln | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.923 | 91.581 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.967 | 76.817 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 94.101 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.434 | 84.208 | 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
2.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cleveland -1.9%, Lincoln +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cleveland | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 26.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | 29.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.0 in of snowfall annually at Lincoln.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US, LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cleveland | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 291,932 |
| Median household income | $39,187 | $69,991 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.5% | 26.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.18 | 2.42 |
Lincoln households earn about 2.5% more than Cleveland at the median β $39,187 β $69,991 on 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 Ohio 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
- Winter gear first: Lincoln averages 26.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Cleveland to Lincoln?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 849 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lincoln, NE from Cleveland, OH?
The driving distance is 849 mi and the route typically takes 15h 41m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lincoln more expensive than Cleveland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lincoln is 2.5% lower than Cleveland (91.581 vs 93.923, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Cleveland vs Lincoln?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,991 in Lincoln vs $39,187 in Cleveland β a 78.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lincoln compared to Cleveland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,062 in Lincoln vs $115,537 in Cleveland β a 151.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cleveland.
City profiles: Cleveland, OH Β· Lincoln, NE.