For some people, California is like a dream come true. Aspiring artists and rising stars all move to the city of angels to pursue a career in Hollywood. Minorities move to San Francisco to live in an open and welcoming community. Couples move to the Californian suburbs in order to grow their families.
- images/moving-from-california-to-nebraska
- Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco.min.jpg
- Omaha, Nebraska.min.jpg
- Packing moving boxes.min.jpg
- Moving truck.min.jpg
- Parked truck.min.jpg
- Moving broker.min.jpg
- Considering pros and cons.min.jpg
- Lincoln, Nebraska.min.jpg
- Making a decision.min.jpg
- Moving boxes.min.jpg
- While California is a great state to live in, it does have its flaws. And these flaws are making an increasing number of people move out to other states.
- View of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on a sunny day.
While the Golden State is a lovely place, it does have quite a few flaws and these flaws drive thousands of residents to move out of the state every year. One of the main reasons for this mass outbound move is the fact that living in California is incredibly expensive.
Real estate rates in this state are absolutely insane, and the taxes are incredibly costly as well. And let’s not get started on the overpopulation situation. Nebraska, on the other hand, has cheaper living expenses and receives way fewer residents and tourists each year.
- According to different rankings, Nebraska is one of the top 10 states to live in the US, which is why thousands of California residents are considering relocating to the Cornhusker State.
- View of Downtown Omaha, with the Omaha World-Herald building in the background.
Even though the distance between California and Nebraska is approximately 1500 miles, over two thousand California residents relocated to the Cornhusker State. The states may have different cultures and lifestyles, but the numbers indicate that Californians thrive in Nebraska.
It’s also important to keep in mind that moving companies have the right to deliver your items in up to 21 business days, so don’t forget to follow some of the tips we’ll give to you later in this article.
In this article, we’re going to overview the pros and cons of moving from California to Nebraska, as well as provide all the details you need to know to make this move.
Contents:
Why Are People Moving From California to Nebraska?
While Nebraska is not exactly the top destination for Americans looking into relocating, it is still among the states where people from California are moving to the most. And while we mentioned that living expenses are one of the reasons for this mass migration, there are other reasons for this as well.
In case you’re interested in learning a few of the reasons why people are moving to Nebraska, stay tuned. Below, we’ll briefly talk about the top three reasons.
- The unemployment rates are among the lowest.
- While California has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, Nebraska is quite the opposite. The Cornhusker State is actually tied with Vermont as the sixth-lowest rate. The prospect of finding a job is one of the reasons why Nebraska is attracting new residents.
- The residents get to enjoy the best of both worlds.
- Depending on where you live in California, you are likely to deal with millions of tourists on a regular basis. Moving to Nebraska means enjoying a quiet life in a small town while being a drive away from the big city.
- You can still find entertainment in Nebraska.
- Living in major areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego means that there are plenty of things to do to stay entertained. While the lifestyle in Nebraska is not like the one in California, you’ll still find concerts and lots of festivals to keep yourself entertained.
How Much Does It Cost To Move From California to Nebraska?
For most of us, the budget is one of the biggest obstacles when it comes to relocating. The economy hasn’t been particularly well on a global level, and saving money to invest in moving is not exactly an easy task.
- There are different types of movers, and there are different types of moving options. Learning your options is the best way to save money and stress.
- A closed moving box on top of a double bed.
However, the process of moving is not always expensive. There are certain things every person can do to reduce the costs of relocating, including looking for the right type of moving option.
You’re probably wondering what we mean about different moving options. Depending on your availability and how much you’re willing to spend, your moving costs will vary from affordable to incredibly expensive. Here’s how much it costs to move from California to Nebraska.
Hiring a full-service moving company
You must have probably heard about full-service moving companies. These companies are the most common type and also the most popular. In spite of the fancy name, full-service movers simply help you throughout the entire moving process.
These are the ideal movers for those who don’t have a lot of time to pack their belongings. If you pay for their premium services, full-service movers will pack all the items in your home and transport them to your new address. However, it’s important to note that the services of full-service movers can be rather costly.
Here are the estimated moving costs of hiring a full-service moving company to relocate from California to Nebraska.
- Studio/1 Bedroom: $2853 – $4755
- 2-3 Bedrooms: $4278 – $7130
- 4+ Bedrooms: $4990 – $8317
- Office-Commercial Moving: $7501 – $9473
Renting a DIY moving truck
For some folks, hiring a full-service moving company is not an option. And not just because their budget doesn’t allow it. Actually, some people prefer to stay in charge of the entire moving process, thus they’re better off renting a DIY moving truck.
- Renting a moving truck may not be cheap, but it will give you the peace of mind of knowing that all your belongings are safe in your hands.
- A moving truck driving down a wet road.
When you rent a moving truck, you’ll likely spend more money as you’ll have some additional expenses, which may or may not include paying for gas, paying for repairs, paying for moving insurance, and paying for help to load and unload the truck.
However, the advantage of choosing this moving option is that you’ll get to pack and organize your own things the way you see fit. You’ll also transport your belongings and they’ll arrive at your new address at the same time as you.
Here are the estimated moving costs of renting a DIY moving truck to relocate from California to Nebraska. Note that these estimates don’t include additional expenses (gas, repairs, insurance, et cetera).
- Studio/1 Bedroom: starting at $3225.60/per trip
- 2-3 Bedrooms: starting at $3394.80/per trip
- 4+ Bedrooms: starting at $3752.10/per trip
- Office-Commercial Moving: starting at $9999.00/per trip
Renting a moving container
Another moving option that most people overlook is renting a moving container. When you choose this type of moving, you’re still in charge of packing your belongings and loading them into the container. However, you don’t have to worry about driving the container to your new address.
When you rent a moving container, the moving company will give you a number of days to load/unload your container. The downside is that there are still not a lot of company options for those who want to rent a moving container.
Here are the estimated moving costs of renting a moving container to relocate from California to Nebraska.
- Studio/1 Bedroom: starting at $3750
- 2-3 Bedrooms: starting at $4500
- 4+ Bedrooms: starting at $5250
- Office-Commercial Moving: starting at $5550
How to Hire Movers from California to Nebraska?
On top of deciding the best moving option based on your budget, you also need to consider the type of moving company that you need to hire. And no, not all companies are the same, and not all companies offer the same services.
Depending on the client’s current location and the location where they intend on moving, said client will have to look for a specific type of mover. Below, we’ll talk about three types of movers and which one you should hire when relocating from California to Nebraska.
Interstate Movers
When clients want to relocate between areas within the same state, that’s considered an intrastate move. For instance, if you were moving from San Francisco, CA to Orinda, CA, you’d need to hire a local mover.
- Interstate movers have all the equipment and staff required to help you move to a different state.
- A moving truck in a parking lot.
However, if you’re looking into moving from California to Nebraska, you can’t look for an intrastate mover; you’ll need to look into hiring an interstate mover, as these companies are the ones that’ll have the necessary equipment and staff to help you make the big move.
Long-Distance Movers
While some interstate movers won’t be opposed to the idea of helping you relocate from California to Nebraska, most of them likely will turn down your request. That’s because these two states are located very far apart from one another.
In this case, you might need to hire a long-distance mover. While each moving company will determine the mileage that they consider “long distance,” it is generally accepted that anything over 400 miles is a long-distance move.
Cross-Country Movers
As we said earlier in this article, the distance between California and Nebraska is approximately 1500 miles. Because it’s such a long distance, it’s possible that even a long-distance mover might not be able to offer you their services. But don’t worry.
In this case, the best option is to contact a cross-country mover. These moving companies possess special licenses that allow them to transport their clients’ belongings from one end of the country to the other.
Moving Brokers
We understand that this is a lot of information to take in, especially if it’s your first time ever looking into relocating. The truth is that the process of moving is not exactly easy, regardless of where you’re moving to.
- Moving brokers can help you find the ideal moving company based on your preferences and budget. Hiring their services is an extra expense, but it’s worth it.
- A man talking on the phone in an office.
Luckily for all of us, there are certain professionals whose jobs revolve around people finding the ideal moving companies. These professionals are called moving brokers, and they act as an intermediary between clients and movers.
If you don’t feel confident enough finding a mover on your own and you’ll feel more secure having a professional help you locate the best moving company, you should definitely consider hiring a moving broker. It may be an extra expense, but it may be totally worth it in the end.
3 Moving Companies to Help Relocate from California to Nebraska
The first thing you’ll notice once you start looking for movers is that there are countless moving companies out there. In fact, there are so many companies offering their services that it’s kind of hard to pick just one.
For starters, you can check if the mover has all the documentation required by the Department of Transportation. This way, you’ll eliminate potential scammers. Another thing you can do is check the mover’s reputation online. This is the best method of not hiring irresponsible moving companies that will likely damage or lose your belongings.
You can also use our free moving costs calculator to receive quotes from reliable and top-rated movers that can help relocate from California to Nebraska. And to help you get started with your search, here are three moving companies that can help you relocate from California to Nebraska.
Atlas Van Lines
Atlas is one of the moving companies that operate nationwide, so they can offer you support while you’re still in California but also when you’re in Nebraska, as they have hundreds of agents that operate all over.
This moving company offers all the basic moving services, including packing and unpacking, and they also help with specialized moving services, like military moves and auto transport. Getting a quote from them is not exactly a simple process, but they do offer a few discounts, so the wait may be worth it.
Two Men And A Truck
While Two Men And A Truck is a national company at this point, it started out as a small business, as its name suggests. Because they offered such incredible moving services, the company grew in no time and now has agents all over the country.
One of the best things about hiring this mover is that they hire trained staff that will surely transport your items carefully. However, the downside is that not all their franchises offer long-distance moving services and they don’t have listed rates, so each offer gets to decide their own prices.
NorthStar Moving Company
Lots of people would rather stay from movers that operate nationwide with the assistance of agents, and we understand their reasonings. In case you would feel more comfortable hiring a California-based up-and-coming moving company, you should definitely add NorthStar to your list of considerations.
All of their offices across California are top-rated on different reviews websites, and they’re particularly known for offering high-quality services at affordable prices. On top of that, they also offer discounts to clients who are making long-distance moves, which may be of your interest.
What Are the Top Benefits of Moving from California to Nebraska?
Everything in life has both a good and a bad side. Just like you may feel like living in California is not perfect, there are people living in Nebraska right now who think the same thing about their state.
Does that mean that you shouldn’t move to Nebraska? Not at all. It simply means that, before you make any decisions or even spend your time looking for a mover, you should take some time to consider the pros and cons of moving from California to Nebraska.
To help you get started, here are a few of them.
Pros of Moving from California to Nebraska
- Lower costs of living
- As we mentioned previously, one of the main advantages of moving to Nebraska is that this state is more affordable than California. And not just in terms of living expenses; housing and healthcare are far more accessible in Nebraska.
- Natural beauty
- California is a beautiful state, but so is Nebraska. Moving from California to Nebraska means you’ll have access to epic outdoor sights, as the state has beautiful parks, rivers, and lakes. You’ll have plenty of space to go camping and stargazing.
- The education system
- According to different rankings, Nebraska has one of the highest high school graduation rates and some of the best schools in the Midwest. If you’ll have kids, this will definitely be good news for you.
- Making a list of the pros and cons is a good way to make a final decision. In the end, it is up to you to determine what is an advantage and what is a disadvantage of moving from California to Nebraska.
- A man looking at his computer screen and thinking.
Cons of Moving from California to Nebraska
- Crime rates
- Unfortunately, Nebraska has significantly high crime rates, even in the smaller towns. The juvenile incarceration rate in this state is quite worrisome, but fortunately, the crimes are mostly petty theft and nothing of the violent crime sort.
- Close-minded people
- While there are quite a few conservative folks in California, it’s nothing compared to Nebraska. This state is vastly conservative, and you’ll find plenty of close-minded people around Nebraska, especially in the rural areas.
- Not much diversity
- Another con of moving from California to Nebraska is that you won’t get to see a lot of diversity in the Cornhusker State. If you’re part of a minority, you best be prepared to deal with nosy and judgemental people.
Comparison: Price of Living in California vs. Price of Living in Nebraska
Every person and family has their own reasons for wanting to relocate. For some people, the only reason is a job opportunity, while others relocate to stay closer to family or friends. Older people relocate so they can enjoy their retirement in comfy places.
However, the truth is that thousands of people relocate every year in search of an affordable place to live. Living in Nebraska is not exactly expensive, and we’ve mentioned quite a few times that this state is more affordable than California, but now it is time for us to show you just how much money you’ll get to save if you make this move.
Here is a comparison of the price of living in California vs. the price of living in Nebraska.
EXPENSES | CALIFORNIA | NEBRASKA |
| Housing | $2,058 | $992 |
| Food | $864 | $757 |
| Child care | $1,323 | $1,755 |
| Transportation | $1,200 | $1,108 |
| Health care | $972 | $1,392 |
| Other necessities | $1,059 | $634 |
| Taxes | $1,042 | $864 |
| Monthly Total | $8,519 | $7,501 |
| Annual Total | $102,226 | $90,008 |
All estimates presented in the table above were calculated considering the expenses of a family of two adults and two children. The data was retrieved from the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator.
Best Places to Move to in Nebraska
When we’re looking into moving to a new place, it’s not unusual to feel overwhelmed by the seemingly endless possibilities. There are so many great places in Nebraska that you could potentially live in, so how can you choose the right location?
- There are plenty of amazing cities in Nebraska, so finding the ideal place to move to is not easy. Regardless of the type of environment you’re looking for, you’ll find it all in Nebraska.
- Front view of the Nebraska State Capitol Building in Lincoln, Nebraska.
We all have our particular preferences and most of us are looking for different things. Before choosing a city, you need to take into account all the things that you’re looking for in a city and the things you’d like to avoid.
To help you with the search, we’ve selected four cities that are considered the best places to move to in Nebraska.
- Omaha
- Omaha is the most populated city in Nebraska, even though it’s not the capital. This city is perfect for those who want to enjoy a quieter life but aren’t exactly ready to give up on the glamorous city life.
- Lincoln
- The capital city of Nebraska, Lincoln is not too large and not too small. Just like Omaha, it is the perfect location for those who want to live in a big city. One of the advantages of moving to Lincoln is that you’ll find plenty of job opportunities here, depending on your work area.
- Norfolk
- Nobody appreciates living in areas with high crime rates, especially when it’s a family with kids. In this case, you may like to know that Norfolk is one of the safest cities in Nebraska, so it may be worth looking into moving here.
- Fremont
- Oftentimes, living in big metro cities can be quite expensive, and that is why an increasing number of people are looking into moving to the suburbs. In this case, Fremont is only a 45-minute drive away from Omaha, which means you’ll get to live relatively close to the big city while spending way less money.
In the end, is Moving from California to Nebraska Worth It?
According to different rankings of the best US states, Nebraska ranks in the top 10, while California is almost in the top 30. In other words, there are several different ways in which the Cornhusker State is a better place to live than the Golden State.
In terms of economy, the living expenses in Nebraska are cheaper than those in California, and the unemployment rate is way lower. In terms of nature, both states are incredibly beautiful and have lots of amazing places to visit. However, Nebraska is mostly flat, so depending on your outdoor activities preferences, you’ll have limited options.
- California is a great place to live, but it’s too expensive. Nebraska is more affordable, but it’s more conservative. In the end, how to decide if moving from California to Nebraska is worth it?
- Silhouette of direction signs with the sunset in the background.
When it comes to entertainment, no other place in the US manages to top California, especially not Nebraska. On top of that, people in the Cornhusker state tend to be more conservative than Californians, and you’ll find that there’s not much diversity in the smaller towns.
In the end, moving from California to Nebraska is worth it if you’re looking for a quieter and cheaper place to live. If you’re part of a minority and like having endless entertainment options, this relocation may not be as worth it.
How to Move from California to Nebraska?
Doing things in haste is never a good choice, which is why you need to plan your moving process so that everything can go smoothly. Moving to a new location is not as simple as calling up a moving company and choosing a date.
If you do that, chances are you’ll have a lot of headaches and problems to handle later on. The best way to go about planning a move is to follow the 10 tips that we have prepared for you. Here is what you need to know about how to move from California to Nebraska.
- Plan Ahead
- As we just said, planning ahead is the key to a successful moving process. Before you even quit your job or contact a mover, you can take a few minutes to write down the steps you’ll take in the process. If you’re not sure what to write, you can always use our downloadable moving checklist.
- Downsize
- Some moving companies will calculate your moving costs based exclusively on the miles, but lots of movers will calculate your estimates based on the miles and on the weight. In this case, downsizing may be the best option before you contact a mover.
- Get Moving Quotes
- If you want a surefire way to save money when relocating, there’s no big secret: the key is to get moving quotes from different companies. Compare the rates and choose the most affordable one. You can always use our free moving costs calculator to receive quotes from top-rated movers.
- Book Movers
- After you have found the ideal mover, the next step is to book their services. It is in your best interest to do this a couple of months before your expected moving date as booking movers at the last minute can be way pricier.
- Visit Your New Area
- It’s completely normal to feel unsure about leaving your current location to start new somewhere else. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make, but visiting your new area before booking a mover can help you make a final decision.
- Start Packing
- At this point in the process, you’ll already have made your decision to move and you will probably have hired a mover. If you want to save money, you can pack your things yourself. Start packing at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance!
- Create an Essentials Box
- When you arrive at your new location, your belongings will likely still be on the way. In order to avoid not having anything in your new home, we recommend that you should prepare an Essentials box where you’ll store all the items you’ll need upon your arrival.
- Say Farewells
- Naturally, you won’t forget to say farewells to your loved ones. However, a lot of people underestimate how much time they’ll need for this. Start saying goodbye to friends and families at least two weeks prior to the big day.
- Get Some Rest
- Even if your movers do most work for you, you will still feel very tired by the end of your moving process. Moving from California to Nebraska is not an easy process, so you can’t forget to get some rest.
- Enjoy the Move
- One of the best pieces of advice we can give you is to enjoy the move. Sometimes, problems during the process will be inevitable, but you can’t allow these problems to ruin the whole experience for you!
Moving Services to Help You Relocate from California to Nebraska
It’s not surprising that lots of people think that moving is as easy as hiring the first moving company that offers them a reasonable estimate. The truth is that, on top of the estimates and the mover’s reputation, you also need to take into account the types of services that they offer.
- There are different types of moving services, and you’ll need to hire a mover that offers the ones you need. This will depend on the kinds of items you own, as well as some other factors.
- A pile of moving boxes standing next to a window.
Depending on the kind of items that you possess or collect, not every mover will have the required equipment or trained staff to help you. In order to avoid having to deal with broken belongings or contacting a company only to get turned down, you can learn about the different moving services.
To get you started, here are 9 moving services to help you relocate from California to Nebraska.
- Furniture Transportation
- We all have furniture items that we need to bring along when moving to a new place. Luckily, most moving companies will offer furniture transportation services, so this should not be a worry at all.
- Residential Movers
- When moving to a different address, entrepreneurs also need to worry about relocating their business. That’s why some moving companies focus on business relocation services, while others focus mainly on being residential movers.
- Piano Transportation
- Lots of people own pianos because they’re the family heirloom in many households. Others own pianos because they love playing or just because of the aesthetics. Either way, you’ll need to find a mover that offers piano transportation services, as it’s not easy to move these large instruments.
- Art and Antiques Movers
- Collecting art and antiques is a hobby that not everyone can afford. These pieces can be pretty expensive depending on their backstory, so you’ll want to make sure that you hire a mover that will take the utmost care with your items. Art and antique movers are your best shot at moving art pieces from California to Nebraska.
- Hot Tub Movers
- Not everyone owns a hot tub, but if you do, you’re likely concerned about how exactly you’re going to move a hot tub from California to Nebraska. While this seems too complicated, hiring a hot tub mover will make you realize that it’s cheaper to relocate your hot tub than to buy a new one.
- Pool Table Movers
- Bulky items like pool tables can be easily relocated if you contact a pool table mover. These movers have trained staff and all the equipment necessary to safely move a pool table from California to Nebraska.
- Office Movers
- As we mentioned previously, some moving companies focus on helping businesses relocate to new addresses. In case you want to move a business from California to Nebraska, you’ll need to hire an office mover.
- Long-Distance Movers
- We already talked about movers that help with local, cross-country, and long-distance moves. Because the distance between California and Nebraska is so long, you’ll need to make sure that your preferred mover offers this type of service.
- Last-Minute Movers
Planning ahead of moving will give you a pretty comfortable timeframe to relocate from California to Nebraska. However, in case your plans change abruptly and you have to move earlier than expected, you can always contact a last-minute mover to get a quote.