Nebraska ranked 9th on United Van Lines’ 2024 National Movers Study for outbound migration — a significant jump from 13th in 2023 — with 56% of tracked moves exiting the state. Lincoln ranked among the top metro areas nationally for outbound migration in 2024 with 59% outbound. Multiple carrier datasets from 2025 confirm that Nebraska remains a net-loss state for domestic migration, placing it alongside the Great Plains neighbors Iowa and South Dakota in a broader regional pattern of population flowing toward the South and Mountain West. The primary outbound corridors for Nebraska residents follow I-80 west toward Colorado and Utah, and I-29/I-35 south toward Missouri and Texas.
The state’s move market is concentrated in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro and the Lincoln corridor along I-80, which together account for the majority of intrastate and interstate volume. Nebraska’s housing stock is predominantly single-family suburban, with few of the high-rise logistics challenges that complicate metro markets on the coasts. Move complexity comes from distance rather than building access: western Nebraska hauls between Omaha and destinations along the panhandle can exceed 400 miles, and rural county roads are common on both ends of agricultural relocations. Offutt Air Force Base (Bellevue, near Omaha) drives consistent military relocation volume, creating steady demand for movers with corporate/military relocation capability throughout the year.
Nebraska requires all intrastate household goods movers to hold a Household Goods Mover License from the Nebraska Public Service Commission (NPSC). The requirement took effect July 1, 2021. To obtain a license, movers must pay a $250 annual fee, maintain required liability and cargo insurance, and operate in compliance with NPSC regulations. Nebraska law also requires movers to display their company name and USDOT number on both sides of their moving vehicles. Interstate moves fall under FMCSA authority, as in all states.
Peak moving demand in Nebraska runs from late May through August, consistent with national patterns. Winter conditions — particularly ice storms along the I-80 corridor — can complicate moves from November through March. Summer heat does not impose the physical moving restrictions seen in desert states but does affect scheduling; the end of each month is consistently the highest-demand window as apartment leases turn over.
Local moves in Nebraska run approximately $369 for a studio to around $2,424 for a four-bedroom home based on industry data, though actual costs vary by company, distance, and services selected.
Top-Rated Movers in Nebraska
King’s Moving
Address: 7530 F Street, Omaha, NE 68127
Website: https://kingsmoving4you.com
USDOT: #960979
King’s Moving is a locally owned and family-operated full-service mover based in Omaha, founded in 2012 by Jason, whose background includes more than a decade managing furniture deliveries for one of North America’s largest home furnishing retailers. The company serves both local and long-distance moves, handling residential, commercial, apartment, and senior living relocations throughout the Omaha metro and statewide. Services include full packing and unpacking, furniture disassembly and reassembly, appliance installation, and short and long-term storage. The company is consistently rated among the top movers in Nebraska by independent review aggregators and holds strong scores for on-time arrival and damage-free delivery.
Select Van & Storage Co.
Address: 8006 J Street, Omaha, NE 68127
Website: https://selectvan.com
USDOT: #1098759
Select Van & Storage Co. has operated continuously since 1961, making it one of the longest-established moving companies in Nebraska. Headquartered in Omaha with additional locations including Lincoln, Des Moines, and Kansas City, the company covers local, long-distance, and interstate moves for both residential and commercial customers. Services include full packing, climate-controlled storage, employee relocation, and GPS-tracked transport. The company holds an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and is licensed with the Nebraska PSC. With more than six decades in the market, Select Van serves both individual households and corporate accounts requiring employer-assisted relocation management throughout the region.
Tetris Moving Nebraska
Address: Omaha, NE (exact street address not publicly listed)
Website: https://tetrismovingneb.com
Tetris Moving is an Omaha-based company that handles local residential moves and long-distance relocations, with documented interstate moves to destinations including California. Customer reviews emphasize efficient truck packing, careful handling of furniture in multi-story apartment buildings, and same-day service responsiveness. The company’s name reflects a core customer experience emphasis: maximizing load efficiency to reduce truck trips and total move time. Reviews from multiple platforms consistently cite fast load times and crew professionalism. The company’s website focuses primarily on long-haul moving services in addition to local residential work in the Omaha area.
Moving Companies in Nebraska: Common Questions
Is a moving company required to be licensed to operate in Nebraska?
Yes. Since July 1, 2021, all intrastate household goods movers in Nebraska must hold a Household Goods Mover License issued by the Nebraska Public Service Commission (NPSC). The license costs $250 annually and requires movers to carry mandatory cargo and liability insurance. Nebraska law requires movers to display their company name and USDOT number on both sides of each moving vehicle. You can verify a mover’s license status by contacting the NPSC Transportation Department at psc.nebraska.gov or by calling 800-526-0017. For interstate moves, also check the FMCSA database at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
How much does a local move typically cost in Nebraska?
Based on industry data, local moves in Nebraska average approximately $369 for a studio apartment and around $886 for a two-bedroom home, reaching approximately $2,400 for larger four-bedroom moves. These figures assume hourly billing, which most Nebraska movers use for in-state jobs. Actual costs depend on the number of movers, hours worked, access conditions at origin and destination, and any add-on services like packing. Long-distance moves within Nebraska are priced differently — typically by weight and mileage — and should be quoted individually.
How does Nebraska’s geography affect moving costs and logistics?
Nebraska is a wide state measured east-to-west: an Omaha-to-Scottsbluff move covers more than 430 miles, equivalent in distance to crossing several smaller states. Most movers serving western Nebraska will charge long-distance or flat-rate pricing rather than hourly rates for these hauls, and scheduling complexity increases significantly. Rural delivery locations — common in agricultural areas of the Panhandle and Sandhills — often involve gravel or dirt road access that limits truck size and slows unload times. Residents outside the Omaha-Lincoln corridor should confirm that a mover services their specific destination county before booking.
How do I verify a Nebraska mover is properly licensed and protect myself?
Before hiring any Nebraska mover for intrastate work, confirm their NPSC license at psc.nebraska.gov, where the commission maintains a public list of licensed household goods movers. For interstate moves, verify the company’s active authority and insurance at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov using their USDOT number. Always request a written estimate before the move begins. Nebraska law does not set specific binding estimate requirements for movers, so ask explicitly whether the quote is binding or non-binding and what conditions can cause the final price to change. Avoid any company that cannot provide a USDOT number or that demands full payment in cash before the move.
How do I file a complaint against a moving company in Nebraska?
For disputes involving intrastate moves, file a complaint with the Nebraska Public Service Commission using their Transportation Complaint Form, available at psc.nebraska.gov. The commission investigates claims of unlicensed operation, insurance violations, and non-compliance with its regulations. For interstate moves, the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database (fmcsa.dot.gov/consumer) accepts complaints about overcharging, hostage goods situations, and damaged property. For contract disputes not covered by PSC authority, Nebraska residents can also contact the Nebraska Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.