Chicago vs Lincoln
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Chicago
Lincoln
💡 The Verdict
Lincoln is 16% cheaper than Chicago overall. A $75,000 salary in Chicago is equivalent to $63,084 in Lincoln.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Chicago (left) vs Lincoln (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Chicago versus Lincoln. Differences shown from Chicago perspective.
| Item | Chicago | Lincoln | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,230/mo | $780/mo | +$450.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,700/mo | $1,090/mo | +$610.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,220/mo | $1,420/mo | +$800.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.71 | $2.46 | +$0.25 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.17 | $3.64 | +$0.53 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.55 | $3.00 | +$0.55 |
| Coffee (latte) | $6.11 | $5.18 | +$0.93 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.57 | $3.08 | +$0.49 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15.53 | $16.08 | $-0.55 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Chicago has the same purchasing power as $63,084 in Lincoln.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lincoln equals $89,167 in Chicago.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $525 difference is driven by Nebraska having a higher state income tax rate. Illinois details → · Nebraska details →
Reading These Numbers: Chicago (107) vs Lincoln (90)
Chicago at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Lincoln at 90 is 10% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Chicago, the composite index of 107 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 112, followed by groceries (104), utilities (100), transportation (116), and healthcare (101). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,700/mo in Chicago and $1,090/mo in Lincoln, the annual rent difference is approximately $7,320.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $36,600.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $51,000.0 difference in median home prices between Chicago and Lincoln translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Chicago vs Lincoln
Choosing between Chicago and Lincoln involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Chicago versus Lincoln depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.