Moving to Omaha from another state? Good call. You’re getting a big-enough city with a small-town commute, real seasons and a lot of friendly people. Here’s what you actually need to know before you get here, from the neighborhoods to the 30-day DMV deadlines, written by a moving company that works these streets every day.
Omaha at a Glance
Omaha sits on the Missouri River, right across from Council Bluffs, Iowa. The city itself has about 489,000 residents, and the metro spreads into suburbs like Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista and Gretna.
| Quick fact | Omaha |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | About 489,000 (2025 Census estimate) |
| Average commute to work | 19.6 minutes |
| Median home value | $245,500 |
| Median gross rent | $1,187 a month |
| Electric | OPPD |
| Natural gas and water | M.U.D. |
| Airport | Eppley Airfield (OMA), 4 miles from downtown |
Population, commute, home value and rent figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts for Omaha (housing and commute data cover 2020 to 2024).
Omaha Neighborhoods and Areas
Omaha is easier to understand in a few big chunks. Visit Omaha’s neighborhood guide is a good place to explore each one.
- Downtown and the Old Market. The Old Market is Omaha’s best-known entertainment district, with North Downtown just to the north.
- Midtown and central Omaha. Home to the Blackstone District (a historic area full of shops and restaurants), Midtown Crossing, Dundee and Aksarben Village, which mix homes, offices, dining and shopping.
- Benson. A neighborhood known for live music, dining and nightlife.
- North Omaha and South Omaha. North Omaha has deep cultural and jazz history. South Omaha is one of the city’s most diverse areas, with a strong arts scene.
- West Omaha and Elkhorn. Want a yard and a bigger house? A lot of people start their search out west. Elkhorn used to be its own town, but it’s been part of the City of Omaha since the 2000s.
- The suburbs. Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista and Gretna are separate cities with their own city services. Our guide to Omaha’s suburbs compares them side by side.
One thing to know: Council Bluffs is across the river in Iowa. If you live there, you’ll follow Iowa’s rules for driver’s licenses, vehicles and taxes, not Nebraska’s.
Weather and Seasons
Omaha gets all four seasons, and it doesn’t do any of them halfway. Here’s what the NOAA climate normals for Omaha’s Eppley Airfield (1991 to 2020) show:
- January: average high about 34°F, average low about 15°F
- July: average high about 88°F
- Snow: about 27 inches a season, most of it from December through February
- Precipitation: about 32 inches a year
What that means for your move: summer is the busiest moving season in Omaha, so book your movers early if you’re arriving then. Moving in winter? It’s doable. Plan for snow and ice, short days and a backup date.
Where People Work
Omaha is home to some big names. According to the Greater Omaha Chamber, four Fortune 500 companies are headquartered here: Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific, Kiewit and Mutual of Omaha. The region’s largest employers also include Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska Medicine, CHI Health, Methodist Health System, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Omaha Public Schools.
That’s a wide mix: healthcare, finance, insurance, construction, rail and the Air Force. If you’re relocating for work, it’s worth checking which side of the metro your office is on before you pick a neighborhood.
Getting Around Omaha
- By car. Commutes are short: the average trip to work is under 20 minutes, according to the Census Bureau. Interstate 80 runs right through the metro.
- By bus. Metro Transit’s ORBT is a rapid bus line that runs about eight miles along Dodge and Douglas Streets from downtown to Westroads Mall, with buses scheduled every 10 minutes on weekdays.
- By air. Eppley Airfield is about four miles from downtown and offers nonstop flights to around 37 destinations, according to the airport.
Setting Up Utilities
Here’s a fun one for new arrivals: Nebraska is the only state served 100% by publicly owned electric utilities, according to NPPD. In Omaha, that means:
- Electric: OPPD. The Omaha Public Power District serves a 13-county area in southeast Nebraska. You can start service online.
- Natural gas and water: M.U.D. The Metropolitan Utilities District is a customer-owned public utility. Start, stop or transfer service online or call 402.554.6666.
- Water, sewer and trash in the suburbs. Some cities handle these themselves, so check your city’s website once you know your address.
- Internet. Book installation as soon as you have a move-in date. You’ll want Wi-Fi the first night.
Set your start dates for the day before you arrive so the lights, heat and water are on when the truck pulls up.
Nebraska DMV: Your 30-Day To-Do List
Nebraska gives new residents 30 days to take care of both the license and the car.
Driver’s license. New residents with a valid license from another state must get a Nebraska license within 30 days. You’ll take a vision test and surrender your old license. Bring proof of identity and lawful status, your Social Security number and at least two documents showing your Nebraska address.
Title and registration. You have 30 days after arriving to title and register your vehicles at your county motor vehicle office. Every out-of-state vehicle needs an inspection first ($10). In Douglas County, there is only one inspection location: the Midtown Branch Office at 411 North 84th Street. Bring your out-of-state title, your most recent registration and proof of insurance.
Tip: Book the DMV trip for your first or second week. Thirty days goes fast when you’re unpacking.
School Districts
The Omaha metro isn’t one big school district. The Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties includes 11 districts:
- Omaha Public Schools
- Millard Public Schools
- Westside Community Schools
- Elkhorn Public Schools
- Bennington Public Schools
- Ralston Public Schools
- Douglas County West Community Schools
- Papillion La Vista Community Schools
- Bellevue Public Schools
- Gretna Public Schools
- Springfield Platteview Community Schools
Omaha Public Schools is the largest district in Nebraska, with more than 50,000 students. But an Omaha mailing address doesn’t automatically mean OPS. Parts of the city are served by Millard, Westside, Elkhorn and others. Before you sign a lease or make an offer, look up the exact address with the district.
Bringing Pets?
Nebraska requires dogs and cats coming into the state to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued by an accredited vet within 30 days before entry, showing a current rabies vaccination. Once you’re here, Omaha requires pet licenses within 30 days. Our guide to moving with pets covers the local rules city by city.
Planning Your Long Distance Move to Omaha
The move itself is the biggest job on your list. Here’s how to keep it under control.
Start six to eight weeks out. Get written estimates, pick your moving date and start decluttering. Every box you don’t move saves money. Our moving checklist breaks it down week by week.
Check your mover. Interstate movers must be registered with the federal government and have a USDOT number. You can look any company up with the FMCSA’s mover search. Easy As Pie Moving Co. is licensed for interstate moves under USDOT 4345362.
Pick the right service. Easy As Pie offers two long distance moving options:
- Consolidated shipping. Your things share a truck with a few other customers. It’s the budget-friendly choice if you can be flexible about your delivery window.
- Exclusive express. The whole truck is yours. You pick the pickup and drop-off dates, and your things go straight to your new home.
Moving to Omaha from another state? We’ll also travel out of state to pick up your things and bring them back to Omaha. Those moves are less common, so give us a call to talk through the details.
Doing it yourself? If you’re driving a rental truck or shipping a container, you don’t have to unload it alone. Our moving labor service gives you hourly help with the heavy lifting at your new Omaha home.
Know what it’ll cost. Long distance prices depend on how much you’re moving, how far it’s going and how fast you need it there. Local moves are billed by the hour. Our Omaha moving cost guide explains both.
Arriving before your home is ready? Ask your mover about storage so you’re not paying for a hotel and a truck at the same time.
Moving to Omaha FAQs
How long do I have to get a Nebraska driver’s license after moving?
Thirty days. New residents with a valid out-of-state license must get a Nebraska license within 30 days, and vehicles must be titled and registered within 30 days of arriving.
Who provides utilities in Omaha?
OPPD provides electricity, and M.U.D. provides natural gas and water. Some suburbs handle water, sewer or trash through the city, so check your city’s website.
How much snow does Omaha get?
About 27 inches in a normal season, based on NOAA’s 1991 to 2020 climate normals. Most of it falls from December through February.
Is Elkhorn part of Omaha?
Yes. Elkhorn is part of the City of Omaha, though much of it is served by its own school district, Elkhorn Public Schools.
When is the best time to move to Omaha?
Summer is the busiest season for movers, so book early if you’re coming then (we recommend two to four weeks ahead at minimum, and earlier in summer). Off-season moves can be easier to schedule, and winter works fine if you plan for the weather.
Make Your Move to Omaha Easy as Pie
At Easy As Pie Moving Co., your full moving agreement, with every rate spelled out and your valuation coverage options, arrives when you book, not on moving morning. And our crews call when they’re on the way.
Request your free estimate or call us at (402) 200-4661.
