City Comparison

Irving vs Lincoln

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

Lincoln

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

The Verdict

7.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.5%, with Lincoln being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to $69,750 in Lincoln.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Irving
77
Lincoln
Groceries
99
Irving
98
Lincoln
Utilities
111
Irving
93
Lincoln
Transportation
97
Irving
97
Lincoln
Healthcare
103
Irving
102
Lincoln

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $69,750 in Lincoln.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lincoln equals $80,645 in Irving.

Living in Irving vs Lincoln

Housing Costs

Irving's housing index of 94 is higher Lincoln's 77, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $264,000. The $54,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,075/mo in Lincoln, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 98 in Lincoln. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving 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 111 in Irving and 93 in Lincoln. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $372 in Lincoln. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving 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 $73,400 in Irving and $71,900 in Lincoln. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $77,312 respectively. Lincoln residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,678/month in Lincoln. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/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 Utilities, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lincoln is 7.5% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,750 in Lincoln, based on the cost of living difference.
Irving's housing index is 94 with median homes at $318,000, while Lincoln's is 77 with median homes at $264,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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