Moving from Fairfield, CA to Lincoln, NE
Cross-country relocations like Fairfield, CA → Lincoln, NE cover 1569 mi and about 26h 30m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1569 mi · 26h 30m by car · NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 15, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Sparks, Reno |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Lincoln | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 91.581 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 76.817 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 94.101 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 84.208 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Lincoln are 15.6% below Fairfield — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lincoln typical home at $291,062 is 15.6% under Fairfield at $609,269 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Lincoln +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 26.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 29.3" |
Climate cools by 9.4°F on the annual average — 61.7°F → 52.3°F.
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: FAIRFIELD, CA US, LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 291,932 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $69,991 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 26.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.42 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 15.6% between Fairfield and Lincoln (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 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 — 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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Lincoln averages 26.0 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Lincoln?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.3°F in Lincoln vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (9.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 29.3 in vs 24.5 in.
Is Lincoln more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lincoln is 15.6% lower than Fairfield (91.581 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lincoln compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 179,040 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield 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 1569 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Lincoln compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,062 in Lincoln vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 52.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Lincoln?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,991 in Lincoln vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 31.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lincoln, NE from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1569 mi and the route typically takes 26h 30m via I 80 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 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 Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Lincoln, NE.