City Comparison

Lincoln vs Yuma

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lincoln

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

Yuma

Arizona
92
Below Average
$284,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$54,100
Median Income

The Verdict

1.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 1.1%, with Yuma being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to $74,194 in Yuma.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
77
Lincoln
82
Yuma
Groceries
98
Lincoln
101
Yuma
Utilities
93
Lincoln
102
Yuma
Transportation
97
Lincoln
97
Yuma
Healthcare
102
Lincoln
87
Yuma

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $74,194 in Yuma.

Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $75,815 in Lincoln.

Living in Lincoln vs Yuma

Housing Costs

Lincoln's housing index of 77 is lower Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $284,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $480/month in Yuma. 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 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $408 in Yuma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Lincoln and 87 in Yuma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $58,804 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 $1,262/month in Yuma. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yuma is 1.1% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,194 in Yuma, based on the cost of living difference.
Lincoln's housing index is 77 with median homes at $264,000, while Yuma's is 82 with median homes at $284,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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