Lincoln vs Oklahoma City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lincoln
Oklahoma City
The Verdict
Living in Oklahoma City costs 6.9% less than Lincoln. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lincoln, you would need $70,161 in Oklahoma City.
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 $70,161 in Oklahoma City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Oklahoma City equals $80,172 in Lincoln.
Living in Lincoln vs Oklahoma City
Housing Costs
Lincoln's housing index of 77 is higher Oklahoma City's 68, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $195,000. The $69,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,488 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $1,000/mo in Oklahoma City, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 95 in Oklahoma City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $451/month in Oklahoma City. 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 92 in Oklahoma City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $368 in Oklahoma City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Lincoln and 92 in Oklahoma City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $55,458 in Oklahoma City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $63,745 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 $1,294/month in Oklahoma City. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Oklahoma City, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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