Things to know before moving from Nebraska to Seattle, WA

Cost of living: Nebraska vs Seattle, WA

Nebraska Seattle
Average rent cost $987 $1,975
Average home value $259,443 $842,068
Average income (per capita) $71,722 $77,845
Unemployment rate 3% 5%
State income tax 7% 0%
  • Rent is about 100% more expensive in Seattle than in Nebraska.
  • Home prices are about 225% higher in Seattle than in Nebraska.
  • The average income is about 9% higher in Seattle than in Nebraska.
  • Seattle has a higher unemployment rate than Nebraska by about 78%.
  • Income taxes are 100% lower in Seattle than in Nebraska.

How life is different in Seattle from Nebraska

Seattle Nebraska
Population 737,015 1,978,379
Political leaning Democratic 57-43 Republican 59.6-39.1
Summer high 76ºF 87ºF
Winter low 36ºF 13ºF
Annual rain 38" 27"
Annual snow 5" 28"
Crime index 58.88 21.72
  • The population of Seattle is approximately 63% lower than the population of Nebraska.
  • In the last presidential election, Seattle voted Democratic and Nebraska voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Seattle is 76ºF and in Nebraska, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Seattle reaches the temperature of 36ºF and Nebraska gets down to 13ºF.
  • You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Seattle vs 27 inches of rainfall in Nebraska.
  • In Seattle, it snows about 5 inches annually vs 28 inches of snow in Nebraska.
  • Seattle has a higher crime rate than Nebraska with a crime index of 58.88 vs 21.72.

Things to do in Seattle

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Seattle.

Museums in Seattletoggle

  • Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP)
  • Olympic Sculpture Park
  • National Nordic Museum
  • Chihuly Garden and Glass
  • Museum of Flight
  • Museum of History and Industry
  • Wing Luke Museum
  • Seattle Pinball Museum
  • Frye Art Museum
  • Cascadia Art Museum
  • Northwest African American Museum

Parks in Seattletoggle

  • Discovery Park
  • Olympic Sculpture Park
  • Green Lake Park
  • Carkeek Park
  • Washington Park Arboretum
  • Gas Works Park
  • Seward Park
  • Kubota Garden
  • Kerry Park
  • Magnuson Park
  • Volunteer Park
  • Viretta Park

Sports Teams in Seattletoggle

  • Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
  • Seattle Mariners (MLB)
  • Seattle Kraken (NHL)
  • Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
  • Seattle Seawolves (MLR)
  • Seattle Dragons (XFL)
  • Seattle Storm (WNBA)

Universities in Seattletoggle

  • University of Washington
  • Seattle University
  • Seattle Pacific University
  • City University of Seattle
  • Antioch University Seattle
  • Cornish College of the Arts
  • The Art Institute of Seattle
  • Gage Academy of Art and the School of Visual Concepts
  • Seattle Central College
  • Northeastern University

Other considerations when moving to Seattle, WA

  • Weather: Although Seattle has a reputation for frequent rain, the climate in Seattle is very unlikely to affect your move.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Washington does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Washington. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of Nebraska vs. Seattle, WA

Comparing the pros of Nebraska vs. Seattle, WA:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Nebraska vs Seattle side-by-side.

Pros of living in Nebraska Pros of living in Seattle, WA
Ample economic opportunity Beautiful nature
Four seasons Ample economic opportunity
Beautiful storms Safe
Abundant rivers Delicious seafood
Wide-open rural spaces Bountiful arts and recreational activities

Comparing the cons of living in Nebraska vs. Seattle, WA:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Nebraska for Seattle.

Cons of living in Nebraska Cons of living in Seattle, WA
Dull landscape High cost of living
Natural disasters Rainy weather
Bad weather Xenophobic residents
Small-town life Terrible traffic
Limited entertainment Expensive housing market

FAQ

How long does a move from Nebraska to Seattle take?

The time frame for a move from Nebraska to Seattle, WA, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Nebraska, the longer the drive time to Seattle will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Seattle from Nebraska can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Nebraska to Seattle?

Because of the 1511-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Nebraska to Seattle as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Seattle, WA?

With the summer highs of 76ºF and the winter lows of 36ºF, most people move to Seattle from Nebraska during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Seattle during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources