Moving from Greeley, CO to Lincoln, NE
Relocating between Greeley, CO and Lincoln, NE is a 462 mi drive — 8h 20m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
462 mi · 8h 20m by car · NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, US 34 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Collins |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Greeley | Lincoln | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.176 | 91.581 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.997 | 76.817 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 94.101 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.599 | 84.208 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.6% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Lincoln at 91.581 vs Greeley at 100.176.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $420,464 to $291,062 moving to Lincoln.
YoY change: Greeley -1.6%, Lincoln +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Greeley | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 34.9" | 26.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.7" | 29.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Greeley (52.1°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: GREELEY UNC, CO US, LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Greeley | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,421 | 291,932 |
| Median household income | $68,650 | $69,991 |
| Median age | 32.5 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.9% | 26.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.42 |
Median household incomes in Greeley ($68,650) and Lincoln ($69,991) are within a few percent (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 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 the job market in Lincoln compare to Greeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA vs $50,140 in the Greeley MSA, on total employment of 179,040 and 111,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Lincoln, NE from Greeley, CO?
The driving distance is 462 mi and the route typically takes 8h 20m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lincoln more expensive than Greeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lincoln is 8.6% lower than Greeley (91.581 vs 100.176, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lincoln compared to Greeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,062 in Lincoln vs $420,464 in Greeley — a 30.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Greeley 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 462 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Greeley and Lincoln?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.3°F in Lincoln vs 52.1°F in Greeley (0.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 26.0 in vs 34.9 in. Annual precipitation: 29.3 in vs 14.7 in.
How does household income compare in Greeley vs Lincoln?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,991 in Lincoln vs $68,650 in Greeley — a 2.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Greeley.
City profiles: Greeley, CO · Lincoln, NE.