City Comparison

Lincoln vs Ogden

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lincoln

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

Ogden

Utah
107
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

The Verdict

13.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.1%, with Lincoln being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to $86,290 in Ogden.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
77
Lincoln
112
Ogden
Groceries
98
Lincoln
92
Ogden
Utilities
93
Lincoln
80
Ogden
Transportation
97
Lincoln
101
Ogden
Healthcare
102
Lincoln
91
Ogden

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $86,290 in Ogden.

Conversely, $75,000 in Ogden equals $65,187 in Lincoln.

Living in Lincoln vs Ogden

Housing Costs

Lincoln's housing index of 77 is lower Ogden's 112, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $385,000. The $121,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $1,250/mo in Ogden, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 92 in Ogden. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $437/month in Ogden. Ogden offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Lincoln and 80 in Ogden. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $320 in Ogden. 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 91 in Ogden. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $70,100 in Ogden. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $65,514 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 $1,636/month in Ogden. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Ogden, median rent of $1,250/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

Lincoln is 13.1% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,290 in Ogden, based on the cost of living difference.
Lincoln's housing index is 77 with median homes at $264,000, while Ogden's is 112 with median homes at $385,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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