City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 197 in Atlanta, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 193, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
The cost gap between Atlanta and Lincoln is the real story here. Lincoln comes in 37% cheaper on typical rent ($1,711 vs $1,086), which over a year adds up to $7,500. Median household income runs $85,652 in Atlanta and $71,867 in Lincoln.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lincoln costs less and Atlanta 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
Atlanta and Lincoln are 831 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $625 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $13,785 (16%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 124 in Lincoln, down 73 points (37%).
The move
Lincoln and Atlanta are 831 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $625 a month (58%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $13,785 (19%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 197 in Atlanta, up 73 points (59%).
Atlanta, GA
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 Atlanta and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 37% cheaper than Atlanta
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Lincoln is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $625/month back in your pocket ($7,500/year). Over five years that's $37,500 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 Atlanta, 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
19% higher
Atlanta's median income is 19% higher than Lincoln
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 19% higher in Atlanta (about $13,785 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, Atlanta 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
37% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 37% lower than Atlanta
Atlanta
197 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 197 in Atlanta (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 37% lower in Lincoln. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Lincoln is the easier city. Atlanta can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
24% more comfortable
Atlanta weather is 24% more comfortable than Lincoln
Atlanta
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Atlanta averages about 61°F (70°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Atlanta averages around 61°F. Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Atlanta scores 24% 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 19% higher ($85,652), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 61°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 37% 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 37% lower than Atlanta (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 $1,711 in Atlanta ($625 apart). Atlanta median income is $85,652 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 Atlanta's $1,711, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $71,867 in Lincoln.
If housing cost drives your move, Lincoln is the stronger match ($1,086/month rent against $1,711). If an employer or family tie already points to Atlanta, treat $1,711/month rent and $85,652 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
Ready to move to Lincoln?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Lincoln when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Atlanta and Lincoln, plus other cities in GA and NE.
