City Comparison

Lincoln vs Little Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lincoln

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

Little Rock

Arkansas
84
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$47,638
Median Income

The Verdict

10.7%

Living in Little Rock costs 10.7% less than Lincoln. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lincoln, you would need $67,742 in Little Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
77
Lincoln
62
Little Rock
Groceries
98
Lincoln
94
Little Rock
Utilities
93
Lincoln
88
Little Rock
Transportation
97
Lincoln
98
Little Rock
Healthcare
102
Lincoln
90
Little Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $67,742 in Little Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Little Rock equals $83,036 in Lincoln.

Living in Lincoln vs Little Rock

Housing Costs

Lincoln's housing index of 77 is higher Little Rock's 62, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $170,000. The $94,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,108 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $950/mo in Little Rock, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 94 in Little Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $447/month in Little Rock. 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 93 in Lincoln and 88 in Little Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $352 in Little Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Lincoln and 90 in Little Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $71,900 in Lincoln and $47,638 in Little Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $56,712 respectively. Lincoln residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,678/month to housing in Lincoln vs $1,112/month in Little Rock. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Little Rock is 10.7% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,742 in Little Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Lincoln's housing index is 77 with median homes at $264,000, while Little Rock's is 62 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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