What it's like to live in Lincoln
Lincoln is a large city in Nebraska with rent below the national average, home prices that remain within reach, unemployment below the national average, and commutes that run shorter than most cities. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Lincoln deals with crime rates above the national average, cold, harsh winters, and a car-dependent commute, with few people using transit.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Affordable home prices
- Low unemployment
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Several well-rated hospitals
The not so good
- Crime above national average
- Cold, harsh winters
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Lincoln compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Lincoln
Based on Lincoln's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,172
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $43,440 a year
- 45% of Lincoln renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$52,800
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $26,400
- Homes cost 3.7× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 23% below US
$1,086/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,086 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $264,000. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $264,000 · 45% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▼ 33% below US
2.9% unemployment
Unemployment here is 2.9%, a little below the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 30% above US
427 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is worth weighing seriously here. Rates run above the national average, and while plenty of residents live comfortably, neighborhood selection matters a lot more than it does in a safer city.
Property crime 1921/100k · Lincoln Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 29% below US
18 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 18.4 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 11% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 87°F, and winters are cold and harsh, with lows dropping to 17°F.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
5 hospitals
There are 5 Medicare-certified hospitals inside city limits. They average 3.7 out of 5 on Medicare's star rating.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▲ 16% above US
42% bachelor's degree or higher
The population is well-educated, with 42% holding college degrees. That points to a strong professional base and generally a healthy local economy.
Schools
83 public schools inside the boundary
There are 83 public schools inside the boundary and 19 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Homestead National Historical Park (37 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Lincoln's strongest points are rent below the national average and home prices that remain within reach; the main tradeoffs are crime rates above the national average and cold, harsh winters. A year of median rent ($1,086/mo) equals 18% of the median household income here, less than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget, job seekers, and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive and anyone who dislikes long, cold winters.
Other places near Lincoln
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