| Index | Lincoln | California | National |
| Cost of living | 153 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 115 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 244 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 115 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 115 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 115 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 123 | 127 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Lincoln can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Lincoln cost of living index is 153, which is 53% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Lincoln may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Lincoln falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Lincoln, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 143.7% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Recurring household expenses such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics are a steady part of monthly spending and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Lincoln, these everyday items will cost you 10.3% more than average, making it a slightly more expensive place to call home.
The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Lincoln is no exception, where grocery prices are 10.1% above the national average.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 6 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Lincoln and this is how they responded. 17% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 83% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Lincoln affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Lincoln, for instance, where the median home price falls 164.3% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 95.5% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Lincoln flaunting a median household income of $130,853, 60.9% higher than the national norm.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Lincoln, the groceries index is 10.1% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Lincoln, the utilities index is 15.1% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
The Lincoln cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $139,715 | $11,643 | $3,260 | $4,192 |
| Renters | $96,683 | $8,057 | $2,256 | $2,901 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| McClellan Park, CA | 870 | 117 | 16.6% |
| North Highlands, CA | 50,172 | 119 | 18.7% |
| Olivehurst, CA | 15,611 | 120 | 20.4% |
| Wheatland, CA | 3,710 | 121 | 21.5% |
| Sheridan, CA | 1,143 | 124 | 23.7% |
| Lincoln, CA | 50,006 | 153 | 53.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lawrence, IN | 50,012 | 96 | 3.5% |
| Draper, UT | 50,021 | 145 | 45.3% |
| Tuckahoe, VA | 49,974 | 123 | 22.8% |
| Newark, CA | 49,971 | 195 | 95.1% |
| Bozeman, MT | 49,943 | 128 | 28.2% |
| Lincoln, CA | 50,006 | 153 | 53.1% |
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