Moving from Lincoln, NE to South Bend, IN
A move from Lincoln, NE to South Bend, IN covers 595 mi and around 11h 11m of driving through 4 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.
595 mi Β· 11h 11m by car Β· NE β IA β IL β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β IA β IL β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 6, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Joliet, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | South Bend | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 92.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 87.733 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 94.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 74.586 | 100.0 |
South Bend and Lincoln are close on the overall BEA RPP (91.581 vs 92.858); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: South Bend typical home at $192,340 is 1.4% under Lincoln at $291,062 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, South Bend +4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lincoln | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 40.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.3Β°F vs 49.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, S BEND, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 102,866 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $52,512 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.5 |
Median household income in South Bend is 1.4% below Lincoln ($69,991 vs $52,512, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in South Bend MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,450 | $40,720 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,860 | $28,820 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,250 | $38,580 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,870 | $34,500 |
| Production Occupations | 11,260 | $39,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Nebraska and Indiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Indiana'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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in South Bend compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $192,340 in South Bend vs $291,062 in Lincoln β a 33.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in South Bend compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,420 in the South Bend MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 129,890 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is South Bend more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Bend is 1.4% higher than Lincoln (92.858 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is South Bend, IN from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 595 mi and the route typically takes 11h 11m via I 80 and US 6. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln to South Bend?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 595 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs South Bend?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $52,512 in South Bend vs $69,991 in Lincoln β a 25.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lincoln.
City profiles: Lincoln, NE Β· South Bend, IN.