City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 143 in Anaheim, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 165, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
The cost gap between Anaheim and Lincoln is the real story here. Lincoln comes in 50% cheaper on typical rent ($2,175 vs $1,086), which over a year adds up to $13,068. Median household income runs $95,227 in Anaheim and $71,867 in Lincoln.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lincoln costs less and Anaheim pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Lincoln at $1,086 average has pockets that run $886 and others at $1,486: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Anaheim and Lincoln are 1,259 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $1,089 a month (50%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $23,360 (25%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 124 in Lincoln, down 19 points (13%).
The move
Lincoln and Anaheim are 1,259 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $1,089 a month (100%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $23,360 (33%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 143 in Anaheim, up 19 points (15%).
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Lincoln, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Anaheim and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
50% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 50% cheaper than Anaheim
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Lincoln is 50% cheaper. That's roughly $1,089/month back in your pocket ($13,068/year). Over five years that's $65,340 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Anaheim, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Lincoln is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
33% higher
Anaheim's median income is 33% higher than Lincoln
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 33% higher in Anaheim (about $23,360 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Anaheim is the stronger labor market on paper. Lincoln can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
13% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 13% lower than Anaheim
Anaheim
143 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 143 in Anaheim (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 13% lower in Lincoln. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Lincoln, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Anaheim. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Anaheim weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Anaheim
Winner76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Anaheim scores 39% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Lincoln if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 33% higher ($95,227), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 50% cheaper here at about $1,086 a month. Choose Lincoln if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Lincoln is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 13% lower than Anaheim (124 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Lincoln at $1,086/month versus $2,175 in Anaheim ($1,089 apart). Anaheim median income is $95,227 against $71,867 in Lincoln, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Lincoln rent at $1,086/month is still below Anaheim's $2,175, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $71,867 in Lincoln.
If housing cost drives your move, Lincoln is the stronger match ($1,086/month rent against $2,175). If an employer or family tie already points to Anaheim, treat $2,175/month rent and $95,227 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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