Lincoln vs Syracuse
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lincoln
Syracuse
The Verdict
Syracuse is 1.1% less expensive than Lincoln overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lincoln would need approximately $74,194 in Syracuse to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $74,194 in Syracuse.
Conversely, $75,000 in Syracuse equals $75,815 in Lincoln.
Living in Lincoln vs Syracuse
Housing Costs
Lincoln's housing index of 77 is higher Syracuse's 69, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $140,000. The $124,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,064 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $950/mo in Syracuse, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 101 in Syracuse. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $480/month in Syracuse. 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 105 in Syracuse. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $420 in Syracuse. 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 100 in Syracuse. 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 $36,708 in Syracuse. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $39,900 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 $857/month in Syracuse. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Syracuse, median rent of $950/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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