Lincoln, ND vs Rugby, ND

The cost of living difference between Lincoln, ND and Rugby, ND is dramatic. Rugby is 31.2% cheaper than Lincoln, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lincoln has a cost index of 90 while Rugby sits at 68, 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 Lincoln is $1,222/month compared to $829/month in Rugby — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rugby is more affordable at $147,800 median vs $259,400.

Median household income in Lincoln is $83,387 compared to $50,580 in Rugby (+64.9%). While Lincoln is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lincoln spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, less than the 19.7% in Rugby.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (43.1°F vs 40.2°F). Rugby receives more rainfall at 20" per year compared to 19.1" in Lincoln.