Lincoln, ID vs Middleton, ID

Lincoln, ID and Middleton, ID have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Lincoln scores 95 while Middleton scores 94 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lincoln is $1,245/month compared to $1,077/month in Middleton — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Middleton has cheaper rent, Lincoln actually has lower median home values ($307,800 vs $348,900).

Median household income in Lincoln is $80,818 compared to $83,681 in Middleton (-3.4%). Middleton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lincoln spend roughly 18.5% of their income on rent, more than the 15.4% in Middleton.