Moving from Lincoln, NE to Birmingham, AL
It is 879 mi between Lincoln and Birmingham — roughly 17h 4m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 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.
879 mi · 17h 4m by car · NE → IA → MO → AR → TN → MS → AL
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → IA → MO → AR → TN → MS → AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, US 63, I 29 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Lincoln and Birmingham sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $291,062 in Lincoln to $135,870 in Birmingham, a 0.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lincoln | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 56.6" |
Annual temperature rises 11.6°F moving to Birmingham per NOAA normals.
Expect 1.4 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 0.1% less than Lincoln at the median — $69,991 → $44,376 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Birmingham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 63,490 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 51,190 | $38,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 51,120 | $34,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,990 | $26,920 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 41,870 | $64,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nebraska and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Birmingham average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Birmingham averages 56.6 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 879 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $291,062 in Lincoln — a 53.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 0.1% higher than Lincoln (91.644 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Lincoln and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 52.3°F in Lincoln (11.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 26.0 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 29.3 in.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 879 mi and the route typically takes 17h 4m via US 78 and US 63. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $69,991 in Lincoln — a 36.6% lower 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 Lincoln.
City profiles: Lincoln, NE · Birmingham, AL.