Moving from Westminster, CO to Lincoln, NE
It is a 487 mi drive, roughly 8h 21m, between Westminster, CO and Lincoln, NE. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
487 mi · 8h 21m by car · NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, US 36 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Thornton, Aurora, Denver, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Westminster | Lincoln | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.581 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 76.817 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 94.101 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 84.208 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.4% cheaper overall in Lincoln than Westminster on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.4% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Westminster -3.3%, Lincoln +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Westminster | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 26.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 29.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.0 in of snowfall annually at Lincoln.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Westminster | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,546 | 291,932 |
| Median household income | $96,145 | $69,991 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 26.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.42 |
Lincoln households earn about 13.4% less than Westminster at the median — $96,145 → $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 Colorado 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 — 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Tornado season peaks May through July — 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
Is Lincoln more expensive than Westminster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lincoln is 13.4% lower than Westminster (91.581 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lincoln compare to Westminster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA vs $58,490 in the Westminster MSA, on total employment of 179,040 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lincoln compared to Westminster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,062 in Lincoln vs $527,654 in Westminster — a 44.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lincoln, NE from Westminster, CO?
The driving distance is 487 mi and the route typically takes 8h 21m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Westminster and Lincoln?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.3°F in Lincoln vs 52.4°F in Westminster (0.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.0 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 29.3 in vs 14.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Westminster to Lincoln?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 487 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Westminster vs Lincoln?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,991 in Lincoln vs $96,145 in Westminster — a 27.2% 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 Westminster.
City profiles: Westminster, CO · Lincoln, NE.