Moving from Philadelphia to Lincoln (2026)

Lincoln has a COL index of 86 vs 107 for Philadelphia (100 = US average). You'd pay about 20% less for the same lifestyle.

Save ~$681/mo
on rent + taxes ยท $75K salary baseline

Change cities

Key differences

COL index
107 โ†’ 86
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$2,000 โ†’ $1,150
per month
State tax
3.1% โ†’ 5.8%
income tax
COL difference
107 โ†’ 86
20% cheaper

Salary needed in Lincoln to match your Philadelphia lifestyle

Based on the 20% cost of living decrease between the two cities.

Your salary in PhiladelphiaEquivalent in Lincoln
$40K$32,150
$50K$40,187
$60K$48,224
$75K$60,280
$80K$64,299
$100K$80,374
$120K$96,449
$150K$120,561

๐Ÿ’ต Household income (before tax)

$75K
$
$30K$300K
Save ~$947/moon core expenses at $75K

Monthly budget at $75K โ€” Philadelphia vs Lincoln

ExpensePhiladelphiaLincoln
Monthly take-home$4,547$4,378
1BR rent$2,000$1,150
Groceries$391$357
Transport$96$48
Utilities$160$152
Internet$65$58
Left after essentials$1,835$2,613

30-Year Wealth Builder

If you invest your monthly savings of $947 in a low-cost index fund (7% avg return), you'd accumulate an extra:

$1,155,313

over 30 years compared to staying in Philadelphia โ€” that's the real price of a city.

$947/mo invested

Frequently asked questions

Is Lincoln cheaper than Philadelphia?

Yes. Lincoln has a cost of living index of 86 vs 107 for Philadelphia (100 = US average). That's about 20% cheaper.

How much will I save moving from Philadelphia to Lincoln?

On a $75K salary, moving from Philadelphia to Lincoln saves roughly $681/month on core expenses. That's ~$8,172/year.

What salary do I need in Lincoln to match my Philadelphia lifestyle?

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Philadelphia, you'd need roughly $60,280/year in Lincoln. This is based on the overall COL index difference.

Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates. Zillow ยท BLS ยท Numbeo ยท For general guidance only