Lincoln vs Wilmington

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 $83,871 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $67,067 in Lincoln.

Living in Lincoln vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Lincoln's housing index of 77 is lower Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $235,000. The $29,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,884 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 Wilmington, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $489/month in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $424 in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. 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 $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $44,731 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 $1,085/month in Wilmington. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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