City Comparison

Lincoln vs Vienna

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lincoln

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

Vienna

Austria
88
Below Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

The Verdict

5.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.7%, with Vienna being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to $70,968 in Vienna.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
77
Lincoln
105
Vienna
Groceries
98
Lincoln
85
Vienna
Utilities
93
Lincoln
98
Vienna
Transportation
97
Lincoln
102
Vienna
Healthcare
102
Lincoln
82
Vienna

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $70,968 in Vienna.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $79,261 in Lincoln.

Living in Lincoln vs Vienna

Housing Costs

Lincoln's housing index of 77 is lower Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $395,000. The $131,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Lincoln and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $392 in Vienna. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Lincoln and 82 in Vienna. 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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $54,545 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vienna is 5.7% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,968 in Vienna, based on the cost of living difference.
Lincoln's housing index is 77 with median homes at $264,000, while Vienna's is 105 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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