City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 216 in Indianapolis, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 246, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,156 in Indianapolis.
Safety is where Indianapolis and Lincoln split most clearly. Lincoln scores 92 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,156 in Indianapolis and $1,086 in Lincoln.
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. Indianapolis 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 crime gap is citywide. Lincoln has rougher pockets and Indianapolis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Indianapolis and Lincoln are 558 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,156 a month in Indianapolis to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $70 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $66,219 in Indianapolis to $71,867 in Lincoln, up $5,648 (9%).
The crime index goes from 216 in Indianapolis to 124 in Lincoln, down 92 points (43%).
The move
Lincoln and Indianapolis are 558 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,156 a month in Indianapolis, up $70 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $66,219 in Indianapolis, down $5,648 (8%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 216 in Indianapolis, up 92 points (74%).
Indianapolis, IN
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 Indianapolis and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
6% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 6% cheaper than Indianapolis
Indianapolis
$1,156/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,156 in Indianapolis, so Lincoln is 6% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $70, or $840 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
9% higher
Lincoln's median income is 9% higher than Indianapolis
Indianapolis
$66,219
Lincoln
Winner$71,867
Median household income is $71,867 in Lincoln versus $66,219 in Indianapolis, so typical pay runs 9% higher in Lincoln (about $5,648 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
43% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 43% lower than Indianapolis
Indianapolis
216 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 216 in Indianapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 43% 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. Indianapolis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
8% more comfortable
Indianapolis weather is 8% more comfortable than Lincoln
Indianapolis
Winner57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Indianapolis averages about 57°F (66°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Indianapolis averages around 57°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. Indianapolis scores 8% 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 Indianapolis if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (57°F) beat Lincoln on this page's weather index by 8%. Lincoln may pay more or cost less, but Indianapolis 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 6% 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 9% 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 43% lower than Indianapolis (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
Safety is the widest gap: Lincoln scores 53/100 versus 37/100 in Indianapolis. Rent is $1,086/month in Lincoln and $1,156/month in Indianapolis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Safety still diverges (53/100 in Lincoln vs 37/100 in Indianapolis), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 57°F in Indianapolis and 55°F in Lincoln.
Lincoln is ahead on safety (53/100 vs 37/100); Indianapolis is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,156/month rent plus $66,219 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Indianapolis and Lincoln, plus other cities in IN and NE.
