City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 167 in Chicago, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 139, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,440 in Chicago.
Safety is where Chicago and Lincoln split most clearly. Lincoln scores 43 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,440 in Chicago and $1,086 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. Chicago 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
Chicago and Lincoln are 473 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $354 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $6,035 (8%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 124 in Lincoln, down 43 points (26%).
The move
Lincoln and Chicago are 473 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,440 a month in Chicago, up $354 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $77,902 in Chicago, up $6,035 (8%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 167 in Chicago, up 43 points (35%).
Chicago, IL
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 Chicago and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
25% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 25% cheaper than Chicago
Chicago
$1,440/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,440 in Chicago, so Lincoln is 25% cheaper. That's roughly $354/month back in your pocket ($4,248/year). Over five years that's $21,240 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 Chicago, 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
8% higher
Chicago's median income is 8% higher than Lincoln
Chicago
Winner$77,902
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Chicago (about $6,035 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
26% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 26% lower than Chicago
Chicago
167 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 167 in Chicago (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 26% 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. Chicago can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Lincoln weather is 9% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Lincoln
Winner55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Chicago averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Chicago averages around 53°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 9% 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 Chicago 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
Chicago is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 8% higher here ($77,902). Start with Chicago 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 25% 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 Chicago on this page's weather index by 9%. Chicago 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 26% lower than Chicago (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 $1,440 in Chicago ($354 apart). Chicago median income is $77,902 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 Chicago's $1,440, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $77,902 in Chicago versus $71,867 in Lincoln.
Pick Lincoln when shaving $354 off rent at $1,086/month is the priority. Otherwise, Chicago's case rests on $1,440/month rent with $77,902 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Lincoln, plus other cities in IL and NE.
