Lincoln, NE vs Omaha, NE

Lincoln, NE and Omaha, NE have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.2% difference in their overall index. Lincoln scores 84 while Omaha scores 86 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 $1,045/month compared to $1,150/month in Omaha — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lincoln has cheaper rent, Omaha actually has lower median home values ($230,100 vs $248,200).

Median household income in Lincoln is $69,991 compared to $72,708 in Omaha (-3.7%). While Omaha 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 17.9% of their income on rent, less than the 19% in Omaha.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.3°F vs 52.4°F). Omaha receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 29.3" in Lincoln.