| Index | Lincoln | Nebraska | National |
| Cost of living | 97 | 91 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 76 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Household Items | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 96 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Lincoln is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Lincoln is 97, which is 3% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Lincoln are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Lincoln can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 64 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Lincoln. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 50% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 50% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Lincoln an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Lincoln, the median home price is 0% equal to what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 10.5% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Lincoln come in at $87,788, which is 7.9% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Lincoln starts at 5.5% and the income tax rates start at 2.46%.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Lincoln, the utilities index stands at 3.7% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Lincoln, healthcare costs are 3.6% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Lincoln are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $122,862 | $10,239 | $2,867 | $3,686 |
| Renters | $57,264 | $4,772 | $1,336 | $1,718 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Nebraska | 5.5% | 7.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Nebraska | 2.46% | 6.64% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Walton, NE | 415 | 97 | 2.8% |
| Crete, NE | 7,154 | 87 | 13.1% |
| Eagle, NE | 946 | 90 | 10.4% |
| Davey, NE | 140 | 90 | 10.3% |
| Greenwood, NE | 507 | 90 | 9.8% |
| Lincoln, NE | 293,945 | 97 | 2.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Gatineau, QC | 293,695 | n/a | |
| Orlando, FL | 294,679 | 116 | 16.2% |
| Newark, NJ | 290,764 | 120 | 19.8% |
| Plano, TX | 297,929 | 122 | 21.8% |
| Durham, NC | 285,434 | 109 | 9.4% |
| Lincoln, NE | 293,945 | 97 | 2.9% |
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