Lincoln vs Meridian
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lincoln
Meridian
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 22.5%, with Lincoln being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to $96,774 in Meridian.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $96,774 in Meridian.
Conversely, $75,000 in Meridian equals $58,125 in Lincoln.
Living in Lincoln vs Meridian
Housing Costs
Lincoln's housing index of 77 is lower Meridian's 154, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $509,000. The $245,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,924 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $1,725/mo in Meridian, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 104 in Meridian. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $494/month in Meridian. Lincoln offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Lincoln and 86 in Meridian. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $344 in Meridian. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Lincoln and 103 in Meridian. 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 $71,900 in Lincoln and $99,700 in Meridian. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $83,083 respectively. Meridian residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,678/month to housing in Lincoln vs $2,326/month in Meridian. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 77 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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