City Comparison

Gilbert vs Lincoln

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gilbert

Arizona
111
Above Average
$470,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$94,518
Median Income

Lincoln

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

The Verdict

19.4%

Lincoln is 19.4% less expensive than Gilbert overall. A household earning $75,000 in Gilbert would need approximately $62,838 in Lincoln to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
128
Gilbert
77
Lincoln
Groceries
100
Gilbert
98
Lincoln
Utilities
96
Gilbert
93
Lincoln
Transportation
103
Gilbert
97
Lincoln
Healthcare
95
Gilbert
102
Lincoln

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gilbert has the same purchasing power as $62,838 in Lincoln.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lincoln equals $89,516 in Gilbert.

Living in Gilbert vs Lincoln

Housing Costs

Gilbert's housing index of 128 is higher Lincoln's 77, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $264,000. The $206,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,392 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Gilbert compared to $1,075/mo in Lincoln, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Gilbert and 98 in Lincoln. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Gilbert 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 Gilbert and 93 in Lincoln. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gilbert vs $372 in Lincoln. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 95 in Gilbert 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 $94,518 in Gilbert and $71,900 in Lincoln. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,151 and $77,312 respectively. Gilbert residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,205/month to housing in Gilbert vs $1,678/month in Lincoln. In Gilbert, median rent of $1,700/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 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lincoln is 19.4% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Gilbert has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,838 in Lincoln, based on the cost of living difference.
Gilbert's housing index is 128 with median homes at $470,000, while Lincoln's is 77 with median homes at $264,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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