Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Lincoln, NE
A 1644 mi cross-country move between Santa Clara and Lincoln is 27h 58m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1644 mi Β· 27h 58m by car Β· NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 680, I 880 |
| Major cities en route | Salt Lake City, West Jordan, West Valley City, Sparks, Reno |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Lincoln | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 91.581 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 76.817 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 94.101 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 84.208 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 17.1% cheaper overall in Lincoln than Santa Clara on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Lincoln +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 26.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 29.3" |
Annual temperature drops 8.4Β°F moving to Lincoln per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.0 in of snowfall annually at Lincoln.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 291,932 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $69,991 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 26.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.42 |
Lincoln households earn about 17.1% less than Santa Clara at the median β $173,670 β $69,991 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lincoln MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,500 | $40,590 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,810 | $29,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 14,720 | $35,130 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,440 | $43,440 |
| Management Occupations | 13,270 | $99,080 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Nebraska
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nebraska'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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β 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
- Winter gear first: Lincoln averages 26.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Tornado season peaks May through July β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Nebraska after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Lincoln compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 179,040 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lincoln more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lincoln is 17.1% lower than Santa Clara (91.581 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lincoln compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,062 in Lincoln vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 83.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lincoln, NE from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 1644 mi and the route typically takes 27h 58m via I 80 and I 680. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Lincoln?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1644 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 Santa Clara vs Lincoln?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,991 in Lincoln vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 59.7% 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 Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Lincoln, NE.