Cost of living in Lincoln, NE Livability score 68 · cost-of-living index 91.9 (US = 100)
How Lincoln compares Where Lincoln falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 92 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 92 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $304k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $304k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $179 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $179 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 7.0% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 7.0% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 1.59% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 1.59% Violent crime (per 100k) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k): 330 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 330 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 13.3 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 13.3 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 88° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 88° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 14° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 14° Map of Lincoln Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps
Cost of living Metric Value US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 91.9 #56 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 96.5 #98 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.23 #55 of 200 Median household income $70,899 #101 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $37,549 #136 of 200
Economy Metric Value US rank Unemployment rate 3.11% #6 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +5.0% #80 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value US rank Median home price $304,242 #76 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 4.3× #71 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +4.1% #31 of 200 Price per square foot $179 #90 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,700 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,344 #37 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 931 Median days on market 7 #18 of 200
Taxes Metric Value US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 11.5% #148 of 200 Combined sales tax 6.97% #53 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 5.20% Capital gains tax 5.20% #123 of 200 High earners No special surtax Effective property tax rate 1.59% #156 of 200 Median property tax paid $3,780 #148 of 200
Healthcare & childcare Metric Value US rank Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,600 #65 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $12,000 #110 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value US rank Annual registration $150 #125 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) 2.27% of value (~$636/yr) #184 of 200 Emissions testing Not required Emissions detail No vehicle emissions testing DMV & license offices 10 Avg commute to work 19 min #5 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value US rank Electricity 13.3¢/kWh #3 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $120 #3 of 200 Gasoline $3.10/gal #50 of 200
Insurance Metric Value US rank Home insurance (annual) $3,600 #164 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,600 #51 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $650 #41 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 41 #50 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 1,100 #99 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 6,100 #176 of 200 Avg summer high 88°F #98 of 200 Avg winter low 14°F #185 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 5b Frost window 05-10 → 10-10
Safety Metric Value US rank Violent crime (per 100k) 330 #43 of 200 Property crime (per 100k) 2,100 #95 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value US rank Grocery stores 37 #128 of 200 Parks 21 Hiking areas 7 Golf courses 18 Shooting ranges 6 Lakes 3
Permits Metric Value US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 #1 of 200 Permit detail Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
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Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts (Google Maps listings) via our own scraper.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.