Home › NE › Lincoln, NE 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, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 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 Scope US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 91.9 metro-area #56 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 96.5 metro-area #98 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.23 metro-area #55 of 200 Median household income $70,899 metro-area #101 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $37,549 metro-area #136 of 200
Who lives here Metric Value Scope US rank Median age 34.4 years metro-area #21 of 200 Bachelor's degree or higher (25+) 40.6% metro-area #39 of 200 Foreign-born residents 8.1% metro-area #103 of 200 Homes that are owner-occupied 59.5% metro-area #179 of 200
Economy Metric Value Scope US rank Unemployment rate 3.11% metro-area #6 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +5.0% metro-area #80 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value Scope US rank Median home price $304,242 metro-area #76 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 4.3× metro-area #71 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +4.1% metro-area #31 of 200 Price per square foot $179 metro-area #90 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,700 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,344 metro-area #37 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 931 Median days on market 7 metro-area #18 of 200
Taxes Metric Value Scope US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 11.5% state #148 of 200 Combined sales tax 6.97% state #53 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 5.20% Capital gains tax 5.20% state #123 of 200 High earners No special surtax Social Security in retirement Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits Effective property tax rate 1.59% metro-area #156 of 200 Median property tax paid $3,780 metro-area #148 of 200
Health & childcare Metric Value Scope US rank Life expectancy at birth 79.1 years metro-area #33 of 200 Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,600 state #65 of 200 Uninsured (share of residents) 7.2% metro-area #76 of 200 Primary care providers per 100k 69 metro-area #129 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $12,000 state #110 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value Scope US rank Annual registration $150 state #125 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) 2.27% of value (~$636/yr) state #184 of 200 Emissions testing Not required Emissions detail No vehicle emissions testing DMV & license offices 10 Avg commute to work 19 min metro-area #5 of 200 Commute by driving alone 76.3% metro-area #119 of 200 Solo drivers commuting 30+ min 16.5% metro-area #4 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value Scope US rank Electricity 13.3¢/kWh state #3 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $120 state #3 of 200 Gasoline $3.10/gal state #50 of 200 Natural gas (avg monthly bill) $79 state #164 of 200 Water & sewer (avg monthly bill) $108 state #115 of 200 Home internet (avg monthly bill) $75 state #16 of 200
Insurance Metric Value Scope US rank Home insurance (annual) $3,600 state #164 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,600 state #51 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value Scope US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk) 87.3 — Relatively Moderate metro-area #79 of 200 Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $650 state #41 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 state #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value Scope US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 41 metro-area #50 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 1,100 metro-area #99 of 200 Homes with air conditioning (state) 95% state #27 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 6,100 metro-area #176 of 200 Days per year ≥ 90°F 35 metro-area #109 of 200 Days per year ≥ 100°F 4 metro-area #163 of 200 Avg summer high (state) 88°F metro-area #98 of 200 Avg winter low 14°F metro-area #185 of 200 Annual precipitation 28.0" metro-area #45 of 200 Annual snowfall 25.0" metro-area #135 of 200 Sunshine (% of possible) 62% metro-area #64 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 5b Frost window 05-10 → 10-10
Safety Metric Value Scope US rank Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 330 state #43 of 200 Property crime (per 100k, state avg) 2,100 state #95 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value Scope US rank Grocery stores 37 metro-area #128 of 200 Parks 21 Hiking areas 7 Golf courses 18 Shooting ranges 6 Lakes 3
Permits Metric Value Scope US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 state #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.
Top employers in Lincoln Major public and private employers in the Lincoln, NE area.
Employer Sector Jobs University of Nebraska Education Careers → Duncan Aviation Aerospace/Defense Careers → Lincoln Electric System Energy Careers → Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital Healthcare Careers → Crete Carrier Corporation Other Search →
Salaries by occupation in Lincoln Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →
Occupation Median pay Dentists $135,330 Pharmacists $132,100 Financial Managers $124,950 Physician Assistants $116,580 Human Resources Managers $105,720 Software Developers $101,960 Marketing Managers $98,740 Lawyers $96,970 Physical Therapists $92,930 Dental Hygienists $90,220 Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $89,760 Data Scientists $86,880 Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $83,770 General & Operations Managers $83,190 Mechanical Engineers $83,110 Construction Managers $82,550 Registered Nurses $81,310 Civil Engineers $78,040 Web Developers $70,310 Accountants & Auditors $62,560 Electricians $59,850 Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $54,410 Elementary School Teachers $52,960 Welders, Cutters & Solderers $50,670 Graphic Designers $49,720 Carpenters $47,660 Medical Assistants $42,850 Real Estate Sales Agents $39,340
Cities in the Lincoln area
What your paycheck is really worth, city by city — cost of living, taxes,
housing and pay across 200 US metros and 3,220 towns.
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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 from Google Maps public listings.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.
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