Lincoln, NE vs Wichita, KS

Wichita is moderately more affordable than Lincoln, with a 12.1% lower cost of living index. Lincoln scores 84 compared to 75 for Wichita, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lincoln can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lincoln is $1,045/month compared to $960/month in Wichita — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wichita is more affordable at $179,500 median vs $248,200.

Median household income in Lincoln is $69,991 compared to $63,072 in Wichita (+11%). The higher salaries in Lincoln partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lincoln spend roughly 17.9% of their income on rent, less than the 18.3% in Wichita.