City comparison
Yes. Henderson's crime index is 85 versus 124 in Lincoln, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,824 in Henderson.
The cost gap between Henderson and Lincoln is the real story here. Lincoln comes in 40% cheaper on typical rent ($1,824 vs $1,086), which over a year adds up to $8,856. Median household income runs $90,138 in Henderson and $71,867 in Lincoln.
Henderson is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Lincoln makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Henderson 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
Henderson and Lincoln are 1,042 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,824 a month in Henderson to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $738 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $90,138 in Henderson to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $18,271 (20%).
The crime index goes from 85 in Henderson to 124 in Lincoln, up 39 points (46%).
The move
Lincoln and Henderson are 1,042 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,824 a month in Henderson, up $738 a month (68%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $90,138 in Henderson, up $18,271 (25%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 85 in Henderson, down 39 points (31%).
Henderson, NV
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 Henderson and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
40% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 40% cheaper than Henderson
Henderson
$1,824/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,824 in Henderson, so Lincoln is 40% cheaper. That's roughly $738/month back in your pocket ($8,856/year). Over five years that's $44,280 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 Henderson, 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 Henderson? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
25% higher
Henderson's median income is 25% higher than Lincoln
Henderson
Winner$90,138
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $90,138 in Henderson versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 25% higher in Henderson (about $18,271 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, Henderson 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
31% lower crime
Henderson's crime index is 31% lower than Lincoln
Henderson
Winner85 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
124 (100 = avg)
Henderson's crime index is 85 versus 124 in Lincoln (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 31% lower in Henderson. 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, Henderson is the easier city. Lincoln can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Henderson weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Henderson
Winner74°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Henderson averages about 74°F (82°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Henderson 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. Henderson 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
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 25% higher ($90,138), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Henderson is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 31% lower than Lincoln (85 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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Lincoln
Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 40% 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.
Bottom line
Henderson runs $1,824/month while Lincoln sits at $1,086 — roughly 40% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Henderson-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Safety still diverges (65/100 in Henderson vs 53/100 in Lincoln), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Safety scores read 65/100 in Henderson and 53/100 in Lincoln.
Lincoln is the default on housing cost at $1,086/month versus $1,824 in Henderson; Henderson stays in play when $90,138 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $738 lease gap.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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