Lincoln vs Minneapolis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lincoln
Minneapolis
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 12.3%, with Lincoln being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to $85,484 in Minneapolis.
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 $85,484 in Minneapolis.
Conversely, $75,000 in Minneapolis equals $65,802 in Lincoln.
Living in Lincoln vs Minneapolis
Housing Costs
Lincoln's housing index of 77 is lower Minneapolis's 112, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $310,000. The $46,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,988 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $1,500/mo in Minneapolis, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 104 in Minneapolis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $494/month in Minneapolis. 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 97 in Minneapolis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $388 in Minneapolis. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Lincoln and 105 in Minneapolis. 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 $64,285 in Minneapolis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $60,646 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 $1,500/month in Minneapolis. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Minneapolis, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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