Lincoln vs Oklahoma City — side-by-side
Cost of living: Lincoln vs Oklahoma City (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Lincoln buys roughly what $60,000 does in Oklahoma City (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
−$1,196/yr
Favoring Oklahoma City for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $100/mo in Oklahoma City, 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 | Lincoln Nebraska | Oklahoma City Oklahoma | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900Better | $900 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,150 | $1,100Better | Oklahoma wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Oklahoma |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,400Better | Oklahoma wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Oklahoma |
| Median home price | $245K | $225KBetter | Oklahoma wins −$20K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 94 | 93Better | Oklahoma wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12 | $11Better | Oklahoma wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48Better | $48 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $48Better | $50 | Lincoln wins +$2/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00 | $2.95Better | Oklahoma wins −$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $142Better | $155 | Lincoln wins +$13/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $152Wins | $175 | Lincoln wins +$23/mo | $276/yr saves in Lincoln |
| Internet/mo | $58 | $55Better | Oklahoma wins −$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $57KBetter | $54K | Lincoln wins −$3K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.8% | 4.8%Wins | Oklahoma wins -1.0 pp | $600/yr saves in Oklahoma |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Wins | 8.6% | Lincoln wins +1.6 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $13.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33 | $30Better | Oklahoma wins −$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 86Better | 86 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 36Wins | 27 | Lincoln wins -9 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
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lincoln vs Oklahoma City?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Lincoln is $1,150/month and in Oklahoma City is $1,100/month. Lincoln is more expensive by 5%.
How much do I need to earn in Oklahoma City to match a $75,000 salary in Lincoln?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City has the lower state income tax rate at 4.8% vs 5.8%. The difference is 1.0 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 Oklahoma City?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. 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 ↔ Oklahoma City
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