City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 188 in Dallas, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 179, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,472 in Dallas.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Dallas and Lincoln. Dallas 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 $1,472 versus $1,086.
Lincoln is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and safety by margins that add up in daily life. Dallas 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
Dallas and Lincoln are 554 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Dallas to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $386 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $70,518 in Dallas to $71,867 in Lincoln, up $1,349 (2%).
The crime index goes from 188 in Dallas to 124 in Lincoln, down 64 points (34%).
The move
Lincoln and Dallas are 554 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,472 a month in Dallas, up $386 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $70,518 in Dallas, down $1,349 (2%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 188 in Dallas, up 64 points (52%).
Dallas, 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 Dallas and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 26% cheaper than Dallas
Dallas
$1,472/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,472 in Dallas, so Lincoln is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $386/month back in your pocket ($4,632/year). Over five years that's $23,160 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 Dallas, 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
2% higher
Lincoln's median income is 2% higher than Dallas
Dallas
$70,518
Lincoln
Winner$71,867
Median household income is $71,867 in Lincoln versus $70,518 in Dallas, so typical pay runs 2% higher in Lincoln (about $1,349 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
34% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 34% lower than Dallas
Dallas
188 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 188 in Dallas (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 34% 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. Dallas can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Dallas weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Dallas
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Dallas averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Dallas 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. Dallas 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Dallas if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (67°F) beat Lincoln on this page's weather index by 39%. Lincoln may pay more or cost less, but Dallas is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
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 city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 2% higher here ($71,867). Start with Lincoln if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Lincoln is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 34% lower than Dallas (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 $1,472 in Dallas. Median income reads $71,867 in Lincoln and $70,518 in Dallas, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Safety still diverges (53/100 in Lincoln vs 41/100 in Dallas), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 67°F in Dallas and 55°F in Lincoln.
Lincoln clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Dallas deserves a serious look only when your $70,518 income offer in Dallas outweighs saving $386/month in Lincoln.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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