Moving from Denver, CO to Lincoln, NE
Moving from Denver, CO to Lincoln, NE covers 484 mi and about 8h 19m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
484 mi · 8h 19m by car · CO → NE
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, US 6 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Lincoln | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.581 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 76.817 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 94.101 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 84.208 | 100.0 |
Lincoln is 13.4% cheaper than Denver 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 13.4% below Denver — $539,666 vs $291,062 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Lincoln +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 26.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 29.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Denver (51.4°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: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 291,932 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $69,991 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 26.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.42 |
Median household income in Lincoln is 13.4% below Denver ($91,681 vs $69,991, 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
When is the best time to move from Denver 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 484 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lincoln, NE from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 484 mi and the route typically takes 8h 19m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lincoln compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 179,040 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lincoln more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lincoln is 13.4% lower than Denver (91.581 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Lincoln?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.3°F in Lincoln vs 51.4°F in Denver (0.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 26.0 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 29.3 in vs 15.4 in.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Lincoln?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,991 in Lincoln vs $91,681 in Denver — a 23.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lincoln compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,062 in Lincoln vs $539,666 in Denver — a 46.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Lincoln, NE.