Lincoln wins overall by ~6% (COL index)
Cost of living: Kansas City vs Lincoln (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Kansas City buys roughly what $56,703 does in Lincoln (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$856/yr
Favoring Lincoln for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $71/mo in Lincoln, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Kansas City Missouri | Lincoln Nebraska | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $950 | $900Better | Lincoln wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Lincoln |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,200 | $1,150Better | Lincoln wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Lincoln |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,600 | $1,500Better | Lincoln wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Lincoln |
| Median home price | $280K | $245KWins | Lincoln wins −$35K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 95 | 94Better | Lincoln wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50 | $48Better | Lincoln wins −$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $70 | $48Wins | Lincoln wins −$22/mo | $264/yr saves in Lincoln |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.00 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145 | $142Better | Lincoln wins −$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165 | $152Better | Lincoln wins −$13/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60 | $58Better | Lincoln wins −$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $58KBetter | $57K | Kansas wins −$1K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.4%Better | 5.8% | Kansas wins +0.4 pp | $240/yr saves in Kansas |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.6% | 7.0%Wins | Lincoln wins -1.6 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00 | $13.00Better | Lincoln wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35 | $33Better | Lincoln wins −$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 91 | 86Better | Lincoln wins -5 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 38Better | 36 | Kansas wins -2 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Lincoln fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Lincoln.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kansas City cheaper than Lincoln?
No. Lincoln is 6% cheaper than Kansas City based on overall cost of living indices (86 vs 91, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Kansas City vs Lincoln?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Kansas City is $1,200/month and in Lincoln is $1,150/month. Kansas City is more expensive by 4%.
How much do I need to earn in Lincoln to match a $75,000 salary in Kansas City?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $70,879/year in Lincoln to match a $75,000 salary in Kansas City. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Kansas City or Lincoln?
Kansas City has the lower state income tax rate at 5.4% vs 5.8%. The difference is 0.4 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Kansas City to Lincoln?
It depends on your priorities. Lincoln offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Kansas City ↔ Lincoln
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