Moving from Lincoln, NE to Burbank, CA
A 1503 mi cross-country move between Lincoln and Burbank is 26h 1m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1503 mi · 26h 1m by car · NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Denver, Aurora, Thornton, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Burbank is 24.0% more expensive than Lincoln on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $291,062 in Lincoln to $1,200,885 in Burbank, a 24.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lincoln | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 16.5" |
Annual temperature rises 12.2°F moving to Burbank per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Burbank sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.44 |
Burbank households earn about 24.0% more than Lincoln at the median — $69,991 → $95,816 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Burbank MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nebraska and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 noticeably warmer climate (12.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Lincoln and Burbank?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Burbank vs 52.3°F in Lincoln (12.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 26.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 29.3 in.
How does the job market in Burbank compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Burbank, CA from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 1503 mi and the route typically takes 26h 1m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $69,991 in Lincoln — a 36.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Burbank more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 24.0% higher than Lincoln (113.566 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $291,062 in Lincoln — a 312.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Burbank?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1503 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lincoln.
City profiles: Lincoln, NE · Burbank, CA.