City comparison
Yes. Honolulu's crime index is 80 versus 124 in Lincoln, and its violent crime index is 57 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,823 in Honolulu.
The cost gap between Honolulu and Lincoln is the real story here. Lincoln comes in 40% cheaper on typical rent ($1,823 vs $1,086), which over a year adds up to $8,844. Median household income runs $86,504 in Honolulu and $71,867 in Lincoln.
Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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
Honolulu and Lincoln are 3,782 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,823 a month in Honolulu to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $737 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $86,504 in Honolulu to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $14,637 (17%).
The crime index goes from 80 in Honolulu to 124 in Lincoln, up 44 points (55%).
The move
Lincoln and Honolulu are 3,782 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,823 a month in Honolulu, up $737 a month (68%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $86,504 in Honolulu, up $14,637 (20%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 80 in Honolulu, down 44 points (35%).
Honolulu, HI
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 Honolulu and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
40% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 40% cheaper than Honolulu
Honolulu
$1,823/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,823 in Honolulu, so Lincoln is 40% cheaper. That's roughly $737/month back in your pocket ($8,844/year). Over five years that's $44,220 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 Honolulu, 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 Honolulu? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
20% higher
Honolulu's median income is 20% higher than Lincoln
Honolulu
Winner$86,504
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $86,504 in Honolulu versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 20% higher in Honolulu (about $14,637 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, Honolulu 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
35% lower crime
Honolulu's crime index is 35% lower than Lincoln
Honolulu
Winner80 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
124 (100 = avg)
Honolulu's crime index is 80 versus 124 in Lincoln (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 35% lower in Honolulu. 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, Honolulu 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
Honolulu weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Honolulu
Winner77°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Honolulu averages about 77°F (82°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Honolulu sits near 77°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. Honolulu 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 20% higher ($86,504), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 77°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Honolulu is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 35% lower than Lincoln (80 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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,086/month in Lincoln versus $1,823 in Honolulu. Median income reads $71,867 in Lincoln and $86,504 in Honolulu, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Safety still diverges (67/100 in Honolulu vs 53/100 in Lincoln), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Safety scores read 67/100 in Honolulu and 53/100 in Lincoln.
If housing cost drives your move, Lincoln is the stronger match ($1,086/month rent against $1,823). If an employer or family tie already points to Honolulu, treat $1,823/month rent and $86,504 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Honolulu and Lincoln, plus other cities in HI and NE.
