Moving from Lincoln, NE to Richmond, CA
Cross-country relocations like Lincoln, NE → Richmond, CA cover 1599 mi and about 27h 5m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1599 mi · 27h 5m by car · NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 15, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Sparks, Reno |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Richmond runs 26.2% higher than Lincoln — a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (91.581 → 115.613, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Richmond is 26.2% above Lincoln — $291,062 vs $606,427 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lincoln | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 24.4" |
Climate warms by 6.5°F on the annual average — 52.3°F → 58.8°F.
Richmond gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.85 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 26.2% between Lincoln and Richmond (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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 — 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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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-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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — 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
What is the climate difference between Lincoln and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 52.3°F in Lincoln (6.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 26.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 29.3 in.
Is Richmond more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 26.2% higher than Lincoln (115.613 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $291,062 in Lincoln — a 108.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1599 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $69,991 in Lincoln — a 28.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Richmond, CA from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 1599 mi and the route typically takes 27h 5m via I 80 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lincoln.
City profiles: Lincoln, NE · Richmond, CA.