Moving from Lincoln, NE to Lowell, MA
It is 1504 mi and 28h 6m from Lincoln to Lowell β a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1504 mi Β· 28h 6m by car Β· NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Aurora, Joliet |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Lowell | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 108.266 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 148.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 99.651 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 148.424 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 18.2% above Lincoln β 91.581 β 108.266 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
18.2% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Lowell +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lincoln | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 48.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, LOWELL, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 114,799 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $76,205 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 18% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.71 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 18.2% higher in Lowell than Lincoln.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nebraska and Massachusetts
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Massachusetts'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Lowell, MA from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 1504 mi and the route typically takes 28h 6m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lowell more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lowell is 18.2% higher than Lincoln (108.266 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Lowell?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,205 in Lowell vs $69,991 in Lincoln β a 8.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lowell compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $480,319 in Lowell vs $291,062 in Lincoln β a 65.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Lowell?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1504 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Β· Lowell, MA.