Arlington, VA vs Lincoln, NE

The cost of living difference between Arlington, VA and Lincoln, NE is dramatic. Lincoln is 111.7% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 178 while Lincoln sits at 84, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month compared to $1,045/month in Lincoln — a 118% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lincoln is more affordable at $248,200 median vs $864,800.

Median household income in Arlington is $140,160 compared to $69,991 in Lincoln (+100.3%). The higher salaries in Arlington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 19.5% of their income on rent, more than the 17.9% in Lincoln.