Lakewood vs Lincoln
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lakewood
Lincoln
The Verdict
Living in Lincoln costs 43.0% less than Lakewood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lakewood, you would need $52,444 in Lincoln.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $52,444 in Lincoln.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lincoln equals $107,258 in Lakewood.
Living in Lakewood vs Lincoln
Housing Costs
Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Lincoln's 77, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $264,000. The $310,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,148 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $1,075/mo in Lincoln, a monthly difference of $775.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 98 in Lincoln. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood 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 85 in Lakewood and 93 in Lincoln. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $372 in Lincoln. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 84 in Lakewood and 102 in Lincoln. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $83,800 in Lakewood and $71,900 in Lincoln. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 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 $1,955/month to housing in Lakewood vs $1,678/month in Lincoln. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/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 111 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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