Moving from Denver, CO to Omaha, NE
It is 532 mi between Denver and Omaha β roughly 9h 6m 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.
532 mi Β· 9h 6m by car Β· CO β NE
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β 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 | Omaha | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.911 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 76.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 94.063 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 86.404 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.1% cheaper overall in Omaha than Denver on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Omaha +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denver | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, OMAHA #1, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 488,197 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $72,708 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 25.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.44 |
Omaha households earn about 13.1% less than Denver at the median β $91,681 β $72,708 on ACS 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 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 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 much do homes cost in Omaha compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,189 in Omaha vs $539,666 in Denver β a 45.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Omaha more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Omaha is 13.1% lower than Denver (91.911 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Omaha?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,708 in Omaha vs $91,681 in Denver β a 20.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Denver to Omaha?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 532 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 Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,580 in the Omaha MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 483,970 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Omaha, NE from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 532 mi and the route typically takes 9h 6m 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 Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO Β· Omaha, NE.