Lincoln vs Philadelphia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lincoln
Philadelphia
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 Philadelphia.
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 Philadelphia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Philadelphia equals $65,802 in Lincoln.
Living in Lincoln vs Philadelphia
Housing Costs
Lincoln's housing index of 77 is lower Philadelphia's 107, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $240,000. The $24,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,560 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 Philadelphia, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 104 in Philadelphia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $494/month in Philadelphia. 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 113 in Philadelphia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $452 in Philadelphia. 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 101 in Philadelphia. 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 $49,127 in Philadelphia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $46,346 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 $1,146/month in Philadelphia. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Philadelphia, 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 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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