City Comparison

Chandler vs Lincoln

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Chandler

Arizona
110
Above Average
$450,000
Median Home
$1,650/mo
Median Rent
$88,234
Median Income

Lincoln

Nebraska
93
Below Average
$264,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$71,900
Median Income

The Verdict

18.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.3%, with Lincoln being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Chandler has equivalent purchasing power to $63,409 in Lincoln.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
126
Chandler
77
Lincoln
Groceries
100
Chandler
98
Lincoln
Utilities
96
Chandler
93
Lincoln
Transportation
103
Chandler
97
Lincoln
Healthcare
95
Chandler
102
Lincoln

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chandler has the same purchasing power as $63,409 in Lincoln.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lincoln equals $88,710 in Chandler.

Living in Chandler vs Lincoln

Housing Costs

Chandler's housing index of 126 is higher Lincoln's 77, translating to median home prices of $450,000 vs $264,000. The $186,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,096 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,650/mo in Chandler compared to $1,075/mo in Lincoln, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Chandler and 98 in Lincoln. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Chandler vs $466/month in Lincoln. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Chandler and 93 in Lincoln. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Chandler vs $372 in Lincoln. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 95 in Chandler and 102 in Lincoln. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $88,234 in Chandler and $71,900 in Lincoln. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,213 and $77,312 respectively. Chandler residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,059/month to housing in Chandler vs $1,678/month in Lincoln. In Chandler, median rent of $1,650/mo fits within this budget. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lincoln is 18.3% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Chandler has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,409 in Lincoln, based on the cost of living difference.
Chandler's housing index is 126 with median homes at $450,000, while Lincoln's is 77 with median homes at $264,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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