City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 132 in Arlington, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Arlington and Lincoln. Arlington averages 67°F while Lincoln averages 55°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,470 versus $1,086.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lincoln costs less and Arlington 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
Arlington and Lincoln are 558 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $384 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $3,304 (4%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 124 in Lincoln, down 8 points (6%).
The move
Lincoln and Arlington are 558 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $384 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $75,171 in Arlington, up $3,304 (5%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 132 in Arlington, up 8 points (6%).
Arlington, TX
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 Arlington and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 26% cheaper than Arlington
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Lincoln is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $384/month back in your pocket ($4,608/year). Over five years that's $23,040 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 Arlington, 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
5% higher
Arlington's median income is 5% higher than Lincoln
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Arlington (about $3,304 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
6% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 6% lower than Arlington
Arlington
132 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 132 in Arlington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 6% 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 Arlington. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Arlington weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°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. Arlington 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 5% higher ($75,171), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 67°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 26% 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 6% lower than Arlington (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
On rent alone, Lincoln undercuts Arlington by $384/month ($1,086 vs $1,470). I would not pick Arlington on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Lincoln rent at $1,086/month is still below Arlington's $1,470, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 52/100 in Arlington and 53/100 in Lincoln.
Lincoln is the default on housing cost at $1,086/month versus $1,470 in Arlington; Arlington stays in play when $75,171 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $384 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Arlington and Lincoln, plus other cities in TX and NE.
