Lincoln wins overall by ~20% (COL index)
Cost of living: Lincoln vs Chicago (2026)
A $62,000 salary in Lincoln buys roughly what $77,140 does in Chicago (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
+$10,680/yr
Favoring Lincoln for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $890/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~17 months and still keep ~$107/mo for dining out.
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 | Lincoln Nebraska | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $62K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900Wins | $1,500 | Lincoln wins +$600/mo | $7,200/yr saves in Lincoln |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,150Wins | $1,900 | Lincoln wins +$750/mo | $9,000/yr saves in Lincoln |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,500Wins | $2,600 | Lincoln wins +$1,100/mo | $13,200/yr saves in Lincoln |
| Median home price | $245KWins | $360K | Lincoln wins +$115K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 94Better | 102 | Lincoln wins +8 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Wins | $15 | Lincoln wins +$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48Wins | $60 | Lincoln wins +$12/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $48Wins | $105 | Lincoln wins +$57/mo | $684/yr saves in Lincoln |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.40 | Lincoln wins +$0.40 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $142Wins | $165 | Lincoln wins +$23/mo | $276/yr saves in Lincoln |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $152Better | $165 | Lincoln wins +$13/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $65 | Lincoln wins +$7/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $57K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$10K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.8% | 4.9%Wins | Chicago wins -0.9 pp | $558/yr saves in Chicago |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Wins | 10.3% | Lincoln wins +3.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Wins | $16.00 | Lincoln wins +$3.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Wins | $45 | Lincoln wins +$12/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Wins | $7.00 | Lincoln wins +$2.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 86Wins | 107 | Lincoln wins +21 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 36 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +42 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
Park ~$9,000/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
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
Knock down high-interest debt first
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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 Lincoln cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Lincoln is 20% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (86 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Lincoln vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Lincoln is $1,150/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Lincoln is cheaper by 39%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Lincoln?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $93,314/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Lincoln. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Lincoln or Chicago?
Chicago has the lower state income tax rate at 4.9% vs 5.8%. The difference is 0.9 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Lincoln to Chicago?
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: Lincoln ↔ Chicago
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