salaryLincoln is the 2nd-largest city in Nebraska that we track, with 294,856 residents. Rent is lower than in 67% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.4 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.4 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $53,120 a year. That is $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Nebraska cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Nebraska. It is number 27 of 34 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Lincoln with other big cities
Compare Lincoln to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Lincoln?
Share of households by yearly income. 22.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Lincoln
| Size | Lincoln | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $973 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,030 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,219 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,580 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,816 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Lincoln overall?
Everyday prices in the Lincoln metro area are 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Lincoln
Life in Lincoln
What jobs pay in Lincoln
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $149,590 | 10.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $128,050 | 12.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,440 | 12.8% |
| Software Developer | $101,690 | 15.7% |
| Lawyer | $101,300 | 15.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $95,560 | 16.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,100 | 16.8% |
| Police Officer | $93,680 | 17.0% |
| Operations Manager | $92,780 | 17.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $87,530 | 18.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $87,500 | 18.2% |
| Truck Driver | $81,790 | 19.5% |
| Accountant | $65,170 | 24.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,070 | 25.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,940 | 25.7% |
| Electrician | $60,680 | 26.3% |
| Plumber | $60,670 | 26.3% |
| Firefighter | $59,760 | 26.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,350 | 26.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $58,750 | 27.1% |
| Carpenter | $49,910 | 31.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,190 | 33.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,430 | 38.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,450 | 39.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,650 | 41.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,290 | 42.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,080 | 44.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,990 | 51.4% |
| Cashier | $30,690 | 51.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lincoln?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $504 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $264,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,400 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lincoln, NE?
Renting in Lincoln costs a median of about $1,328 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Nebraska median is $1,096.
How much do I need to make to live in Lincoln?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $53,120 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Lincoln cheap or expensive?
Lincoln is rated OK: rent takes 20.6% of the typical household income of $77,509. It ranks 27th cheapest of 34 Nebraska cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Lincoln?
The median homeowner in Lincoln pays $4,023 a year in property taxes, about 1.52% of the median home value.
Is Lincoln more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 8% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Lincoln?
The median home value in Lincoln is $264,000, about 3.4 times the typical yearly household income.
294,856 people live in Lincoln. Numbers are typical (middle) values.