City Comparison

Kent vs Lincoln

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kent

Washington
137
Expensive
$595,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$98,300
Median Income

Lincoln

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

The Verdict

47.3%

Living in Lincoln costs 47.3% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kent, you would need $50,912 in Lincoln.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
195
Kent
77
Lincoln
Groceries
109
Kent
98
Lincoln
Utilities
92
Kent
93
Lincoln
Transportation
117
Kent
97
Lincoln
Healthcare
122
Kent
102
Lincoln

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $50,912 in Lincoln.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lincoln equals $110,484 in Kent.

Living in Kent vs Lincoln

Housing Costs

Kent's housing index of 195 is higher Lincoln's 77, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $264,000. The $331,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,075/mo in Lincoln, a monthly difference of $675.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 98 in Lincoln. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent vs $466/month in Lincoln. Lincoln offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Kent and 93 in Lincoln. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $372 in Lincoln. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 102 in Lincoln. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $71,900 in Lincoln. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 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 $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $1,678/month in Lincoln. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/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 118 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lincoln is 47.3% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 137.
A $75,000 salary in Kent has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $50,912 in Lincoln, based on the cost of living difference.
Kent's housing index is 195 with median homes at $595,000, while Lincoln's is 77 with median homes at $264,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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