Moving from Lincoln, NE to Cleveland, OH
It is 849 mi between Lincoln and Cleveland β roughly 15h 41m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
849 mi Β· 15h 41m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Joliet |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Cleveland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 93.923 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 95.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 79.434 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 91.581 vs 93.923 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.6% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $291,062 to $115,537 moving to Cleveland.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Cleveland -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lincoln | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 33.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Lincoln (52.3Β°F) and Cleveland (52.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 367,523 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $39,187 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.18 |
Cleveland households earn about 2.6% less than Lincoln at the median β $69,991 β $39,187 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nebraska and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Cleveland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 849 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Cleveland, OH from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 849 mi and the route typically takes 15h 41m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Cleveland more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cleveland is 2.6% higher than Lincoln (93.923 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Cleveland compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $115,537 in Cleveland vs $291,062 in Lincoln β a 60.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Cleveland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,187 in Cleveland vs $69,991 in Lincoln β a 44.0% 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 Β· Cleveland, OH.