Moving from Lincoln, NE to Glendale, AZ
It is 1272 mi between Lincoln and Glendale — roughly 23h 3m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1272 mi · 23h 3m by car · NE → KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, US 81 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Peoria, Scottsdale, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 12.8% above Lincoln — 91.581 → 103.316 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.8% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Glendale -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lincoln | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 8.3" |
Annual average temperature gap of 19.6°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Glendale — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, YOUNGTOWN, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 250,193 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $70,139 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 15.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.88 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nebraska and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Glendale average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Glendale sees only 8.3 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 (19.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Glendale MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Glendale, AZ from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 1272 mi and the route typically takes 23h 3m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,332 in Glendale vs $291,062 in Lincoln — a 39.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,139 in Glendale vs $69,991 in Lincoln — a 0.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1272 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Lincoln and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.9°F in Glendale vs 52.3°F in Lincoln (19.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 26.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.3 in vs 29.3 in.
Is Glendale more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 12.8% higher than Lincoln (103.316 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 · Glendale, AZ.