Moving from Lincoln, NE to Downey, CA
A move from Lincoln, NE to Downey, CA covers 1499 mi and around 25h 57m of driving through 6 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1499 mi Β· 25h 57m by car Β· NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β 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 | Downey | 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 |
Major COL jump: 24.0% higher overall in Downey vs Lincoln on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Downey: 24.0% above Lincoln on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lincoln | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 12.0" |
Downey runs 12.6Β°F warmer on the annual average (52.3Β°F vs 64.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 3.22 |
Median household income in Downey is 24.0% above Lincoln ($69,991 vs $87,400, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Downey 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 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.
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 β 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
- Dry climate: Downey sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.6Β°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 β 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
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $69,991 in Lincoln β a 24.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1499 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $291,062 in Lincoln β a 205.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Downey compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey 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 Downey, CA from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 1499 mi and the route typically takes 25h 57m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Downey more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 24.0% higher than Lincoln (113.566 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lincoln.
City profiles: Lincoln, NE Β· Downey, CA.