Moving from Kansas City, KS to Lincoln, NE
It is a 193 mi drive, roughly 3h 44m, between Kansas City, KS and Lincoln, NE. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
193 mi · 3h 44m by car · NE → IA → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → IA → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 29, N-2, I 435 |
| Major cities en route | Olathe, Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Lincoln | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 91.581 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 76.817 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 94.101 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 84.208 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Lincoln +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 26.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 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 1991–2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 291,932 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $69,991 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 26.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.42 |
Households in Lincoln earn about 1.0% more at the median — 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 Kansas 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.
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 far is Lincoln, NE from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 193 mi and the route typically takes 3h 44m via I 29 and N-2. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City 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 193 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and Lincoln?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.3°F in Lincoln vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (4.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.0 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 29.3 in vs 38.1 in.
How does the job market in Lincoln compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 179,040 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lincoln compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,062 in Lincoln vs $198,195 in Kansas City — a 46.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lincoln more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lincoln is 1.0% lower than Kansas City (91.581 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Lincoln?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,991 in Lincoln vs $59,183 in Kansas City — a 18.3% 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 Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS · Lincoln, NE.