City Comparison

Lincoln vs San Antonio

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lincoln

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

San Antonio

Texas
90
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$53,420
Median Income

The Verdict

3.3%

Living in San Antonio costs 3.3% less than Lincoln. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lincoln, you would need $72,581 in San Antonio.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
77
Lincoln
78
San Antonio
Groceries
98
Lincoln
93
San Antonio
Utilities
93
Lincoln
96
San Antonio
Transportation
97
Lincoln
101
San Antonio
Healthcare
102
Lincoln
95
San Antonio

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $72,581 in San Antonio.

Conversely, $75,000 in San Antonio equals $77,500 in Lincoln.

Living in Lincoln vs San Antonio

Housing Costs

Lincoln's housing index of 77 is lower San Antonio's 78, 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 $1,200/mo in San Antonio, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 93 in San Antonio. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $442/month in San Antonio. 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 96 in San Antonio. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $384 in San Antonio. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Lincoln and 95 in San Antonio. 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 $53,420 in San Antonio. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $59,356 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 $1,246/month in San Antonio. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In San Antonio, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 7 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio is 3.3% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,581 in San Antonio, based on the cost of living difference.
Lincoln's housing index is 77 with median homes at $264,000, while San Antonio's is 78 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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