Moving from Omaha, NE to Austin, TX
Relocating 850 mi from Omaha to Austin is a 15h 5m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
850 mi Β· 15h 5m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β NE β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β NE β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Omaha | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.911 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.378 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.063 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.404 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.7% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $294,189 to $508,530 moving to Austin.
YoY change: Omaha +1.2%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Omaha | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 36.3" |
Expect 18.7Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OMAHA #1, NE US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Omaha | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $72,708 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.6% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.2 |
Expect median household income to rise 6.7% β $72,708 β $91,461 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97Β°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 (18.7Β°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 Austin, TX from Omaha, NE?
The driving distance is 850 mi and the route typically takes 15h 5m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Omaha?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $47,580 in the Omaha MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 483,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Austin more expensive than Omaha?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 6.7% higher than Omaha (98.066 vs 91.911, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Omaha to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 850 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Omaha?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $294,189 in Omaha β a 72.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Omaha vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $72,708 in Omaha β a 25.8% higher 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 Omaha.
City profiles: Omaha, NE Β· Austin, TX.