Lincoln wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: Omaha vs Lincoln (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Omaha buys roughly what $59,310 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
−$738/yr
Favoring Lincoln for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $62/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 | Omaha Nebraska | 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 | $260K | $245KBetter | Lincoln wins −$15K | — |
| 🛒 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 | $50 | $48Better | Lincoln wins −$2/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.00 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145 | $142Better | Lincoln wins −$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155 | $152Better | Lincoln wins −$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60 | $58Better | Lincoln wins −$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $60KBetter | $57K | Omaha wins −$3K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.8%Better | 5.8% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Better | 7.0% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00 | $13.00Better | Lincoln wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35 | $33Better | Lincoln wins −$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50 | $5.00Better | Lincoln wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87 | 86Better | Lincoln wins -1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 34 | 36Better | Lincoln 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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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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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.
If you're saving big
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 Omaha cheaper than Lincoln?
No. Lincoln is 1% cheaper than Omaha based on overall cost of living indices (86 vs 87, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Omaha vs Lincoln?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Omaha is $1,200/month and in Lincoln is $1,150/month. Omaha is more expensive by 4%.
How much do I need to earn in Lincoln to match a $75,000 salary in Omaha?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $74,138/year in Lincoln to match a $75,000 salary in Omaha. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Omaha or Lincoln?
Lincoln has the lower state income tax rate at 5.8% vs 5.8%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Omaha 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: Omaha ↔ Lincoln
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