City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 147 in Boston, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 175, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
The cost gap between Boston and Lincoln is the real story here. Lincoln comes in 49% cheaper on typical rent ($2,147 vs $1,086), which over a year adds up to $12,732. Median household income runs $97,344 in Boston and $71,867 in Lincoln.
Lincoln is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Boston makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Lincoln is the stronger move.
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
Boston and Lincoln are 1,323 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $1,061 a month (49%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $25,477 (26%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 124 in Lincoln, down 23 points (16%).
The move
Lincoln and Boston are 1,323 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $1,061 a month (98%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $97,344 in Boston, up $25,477 (35%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 147 in Boston, up 23 points (19%).
Boston, MA
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 Boston and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
49% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 49% cheaper than Boston
Boston
$2,147/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $2,147 in Boston, so Lincoln is 49% cheaper. That's roughly $1,061/month back in your pocket ($12,732/year). Over five years that's $63,660 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 Boston, 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
35% higher
Boston's median income is 35% higher than Lincoln
Boston
Winner$97,344
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 35% higher in Boston (about $25,477 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, Boston 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
16% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 16% lower than Boston
Boston
147 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 147 in Boston (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 16% 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. Boston can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
24% more comfortable
Lincoln weather is 24% more comfortable than Boston
Boston
50°F avg · 56°F highs · comfort 58/100
Lincoln
Winner55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Boston averages about 50°F (56°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Boston averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lincoln 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 Boston 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 and professional growth
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 35% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 49% 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.
Pick Lincoln if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (55°F) beat Boston on this page's weather index by 24%. Boston may pay more or cost less, but Lincoln is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Lincoln is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 16% lower than Boston (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,086/month in Lincoln versus $2,147 in Boston. Median income reads $71,867 in Lincoln and $97,344 in Boston, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Lincoln rent at $1,086/month is still below Boston's $2,147, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 48/100 in Boston and 53/100 in Lincoln.
Pick Lincoln when shaving $1,061 off rent at $1,086/month is the priority. Otherwise, Boston's case rests on $2,147/month rent with $97,344 local income.
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 Boston and Lincoln, plus other cities in MA and NE.
