Lincoln vs Phoenix
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Lincoln
Phoenix
💡 The Verdict
Lincoln is 10% cheaper than Phoenix overall. A $75,000 salary in Lincoln is equivalent to $83,333 in Phoenix.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Lincoln (left) vs Phoenix (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Lincoln versus Phoenix. Differences shown from Lincoln perspective.
| Item | Lincoln | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $780/mo | $1,000/mo | $-220.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,090/mo | $1,400/mo | $-310.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,420/mo | $1,860/mo | $-440.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.46 | $2.60 | $-0.14 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.64 | $3.75 | $-0.11 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.00 | $3.26 | $-0.26 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.18 | $6.48 | $-1.30 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.08 | $3.31 | $-0.23 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16.08 | $15.67 | +$0.41 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $83,333 in Phoenix.
Conversely, $75,000 in Phoenix equals $67,500 in Lincoln.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $2325 difference is driven by Nebraska having a higher state income tax rate. Nebraska details → · Arizona details →
Reading These Numbers: Lincoln (90) vs Phoenix (100)
Lincoln at 90 is 10% below the US average, while Phoenix at 100 is 0% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Lincoln, the composite index of 90 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 82, followed by groceries (93), utilities (84), transportation (84), and healthcare (91). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,090/mo in Lincoln and $1,400/mo in Phoenix, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,720.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,600.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $91,000.0 difference in median home prices between Lincoln and Phoenix translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Lincoln vs Phoenix
Choosing between Lincoln and Phoenix involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Lincoln versus Phoenix depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.