City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,421 in Fresno.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Fresno and Lincoln. Fresno averages 74°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 $1,421 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. Fresno 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
Fresno and Lincoln are 1,272 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $335 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $71,867 in Lincoln, up $876 (1%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 124 in Lincoln, down 71 points (36%).
The move
Lincoln and Fresno are 1,272 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,421 a month in Fresno, up $335 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $70,991 in Fresno, down $876 (1%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 195 in Fresno, up 71 points (57%).
Fresno, CA
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 Fresno and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 24% cheaper than Fresno
Fresno
$1,421/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,421 in Fresno, so Lincoln is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $335/month back in your pocket ($4,020/year). Over five years that's $20,100 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 Fresno, 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
1% higher
Lincoln's median income is 1% higher than Fresno
Fresno
$70,991
Lincoln
Winner$71,867
Median household income is $71,867 in Lincoln versus $70,991 in Fresno, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Lincoln (about $876 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
36% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 36% lower than Fresno
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 195 in Fresno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 36% 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. Fresno can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Fresno weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Fresno
Winner74°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Fresno averages about 74°F (84°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Fresno sits near 74°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. Fresno 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 Fresno if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (74°F) beat Lincoln on this page's weather index by 39%. Lincoln may pay more or cost less, but Fresno 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 24% 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 1% 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 36% lower than Fresno (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Lincoln: Lincoln scores 53/100 versus 40/100 in Fresno, with typical rent at $1,086 versus $1,421. I would vet the exact ZIP in Fresno before trading 13 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (53/100 in Lincoln vs 40/100 in Fresno), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $1,086 in Lincoln and $1,421 in Fresno.
Lincoln clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Fresno deserves a serious look only when you already know the Fresno block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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