Lincoln, IL vs Urbana, IL

Lincoln is moderately more affordable than Urbana, with a 11.5% lower cost of living index. Lincoln scores 67 compared to 76 for Urbana, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Urbana can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lincoln is $804/month compared to $951/month in Urbana — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lincoln is more affordable at $111,600 median vs $186,300.

Median household income in Lincoln is $54,390 compared to $45,854 in Urbana (+18.6%). Lincoln 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 17.7% of their income on rent, less than the 24.9% in Urbana.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (54°F vs 52.5°F). Lincoln receives more rainfall at 38" per year compared to 37" in Urbana.