$40K in Madison = $35,464 in Lincoln
Your $40K salary in Madison (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $35,464 in Lincoln (COL 86). Lincoln is cheaper — your money goes 11% further there.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Madison $40K | Lincoln $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,472 | $2,535 |
| 1BR rent | $1,650 | $1,150 |
| Groceries | $384 | $357 |
| Transport | $62 | $48 |
| Utilities | $162 | $152 |
| Internet | $63 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $151/month | $770/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in Madison equivalent to in Lincoln?
$40K in Madison (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $35,464 in Lincoln (COL index 86). That's 11% less than your current salary.
If I move from Madison to Lincoln keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $40K after moving to Lincoln, you'd have $619 more per month after core expenses — because Lincoln is cheaper than Madison.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $40K × (86 ÷ 97) = $35,464. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Madison to Lincoln
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only