Moving from Omaha, NE to Los Angeles, CA
It is 1558 mi and 27h from Omaha to Los Angeles β a cross-country move across 6 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.
1558 mi Β· 27h by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Omaha | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.911 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.378 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.063 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.404 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Los Angeles is 23.6% more expensive than Omaha on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $294,189 in Omaha to $952,183 in Los Angeles, a 23.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Omaha +1.2%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Omaha | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 14.1" |
Expect 12.5Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Los Angeles sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OMAHA #1, NE US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Omaha | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $72,708 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.6% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.72 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 23.6% higher in Los Angeles than Omaha.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Omaha?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $294,189 in Omaha β a 223.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Omaha?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 23.6% higher than Omaha (113.566 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 Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1558 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 Omaha vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $72,708 in Omaha β a 10.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Omaha, NE?
The driving distance is 1558 mi and the route typically takes 27h via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Omaha?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $47,580 in the Omaha MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 483,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Omaha.
City profiles: Omaha, NE Β· Los Angeles, CA.