City Comparison

Lincoln vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lincoln

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

6.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.9%, with Springdale being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to $70,161 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
77
Lincoln
86
Springdale
Groceries
98
Lincoln
97
Springdale
Utilities
93
Lincoln
93
Springdale
Transportation
97
Lincoln
91
Springdale
Healthcare
102
Lincoln
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $70,161 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $80,172 in Lincoln.

Living in Lincoln vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Lincoln's housing index of 77 is lower Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $299,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 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 Springdale, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Lincoln and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $71,379 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 6.9% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,161 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Lincoln's housing index is 77 with median homes at $264,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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