City Comparison

Lincoln vs New Haven

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lincoln

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

New Haven

Connecticut
118
Above Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$42,158
Median Income

The Verdict

21.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 21.2%, with Lincoln being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to $95,161 in New Haven.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
77
Lincoln
137
New Haven
Groceries
98
Lincoln
106
New Haven
Utilities
93
Lincoln
124
New Haven
Transportation
97
Lincoln
102
New Haven
Healthcare
102
Lincoln
114
New Haven

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $95,161 in New Haven.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Haven equals $59,110 in Lincoln.

Living in Lincoln vs New Haven

Housing Costs

Lincoln's housing index of 77 is lower New Haven's 137, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $250,000. The $14,000 difference in home prices means roughly $912 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $1,400/mo in New Haven, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 106 in New Haven. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $504/month in New Haven. Lincoln offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Lincoln and 124 in New Haven. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $496 in New Haven. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Lincoln and 114 in New Haven. 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 $42,158 in New Haven. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $35,727 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 $984/month in New Haven. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In New Haven, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lincoln is 21.2% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $95,161 in New Haven, based on the cost of living difference.
Lincoln's housing index is 77 with median homes at $264,000, while New Haven's is 137 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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