Moving from Lincoln, NE to Laredo, TX
Relocating 1053 mi from Lincoln to Laredo is a 18h 33m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1053 mi · 18h 33m by car · NE → KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 81, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Wichita, Oklahoma City, Norman, Denton, Frisco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.1% moving from Lincoln to Laredo — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $291,062 in Lincoln to $220,331 in Laredo, a 5.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lincoln | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 19.7" |
Annual average temperature jumps 22.7°F — 52.3°F in Lincoln vs 75.0°F in Laredo, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 3.36 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.1% lower in Laredo than Lincoln.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nebraska and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Laredo average 100°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (22.7°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Laredo, TX from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 1053 mi and the route typically takes 18h 33m via I 35 and US 81. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $69,991 in Lincoln — a 9.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Lincoln and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 52.3°F in Lincoln (22.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 26.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 29.3 in.
Is Laredo more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 5.1% lower than Lincoln (86.956 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $291,062 in Lincoln — a 24.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1053 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 · Laredo, TX.