City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 135 in Jersey City, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 152, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $2,007 in Jersey City.
The cost gap between Jersey City and Lincoln is the real story here. Lincoln comes in 46% cheaper on typical rent ($2,007 vs $1,086), which over a year adds up to $11,052. Median household income runs $97,710 in Jersey City and $71,867 in Lincoln.
Lincoln is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Jersey City 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
Jersey City and Lincoln are 1,179 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,007 a month in Jersey City to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $921 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $97,710 in Jersey City to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $25,843 (26%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Jersey City to 124 in Lincoln, down 11 points (8%).
The move
Lincoln and Jersey City are 1,179 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $2,007 a month in Jersey City, up $921 a month (85%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $97,710 in Jersey City, up $25,843 (36%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 135 in Jersey City, up 11 points (9%).
Jersey City, NJ
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 Jersey City and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
46% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 46% cheaper than Jersey City
Jersey City
$2,007/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $2,007 in Jersey City, so Lincoln is 46% cheaper. That's roughly $921/month back in your pocket ($11,052/year). Over five years that's $55,260 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 Jersey City, 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
36% higher
Jersey City's median income is 36% higher than Lincoln
Jersey City
Winner$97,710
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $97,710 in Jersey City versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 36% higher in Jersey City (about $25,843 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, Jersey City 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
8% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 8% lower than Jersey City
Jersey City
135 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 135 in Jersey City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 8% lower in Lincoln. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Lincoln, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Jersey City. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
4% more comfortable
Lincoln weather is 4% more comfortable than Jersey City
Jersey City
54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
Lincoln
Winner55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Jersey City averages about 54°F (60°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Jersey City averages around 54°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. Lincoln scores 4% 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 Jersey City 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 and professional growth
Jersey City is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 36% higher here ($97,710). Start with Jersey City if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 46% 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.
Pick Lincoln if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (55°F) beat Jersey City on this page's weather index by 4%. Jersey City may pay more or cost less, but Lincoln is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Lincoln is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 8% lower than Jersey City (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
On rent alone, Lincoln undercuts Jersey City by $921/month ($1,086 vs $2,007). I would not pick Jersey City on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Lincoln rent at $1,086/month is still below Jersey City's $2,007, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 51/100 in Jersey City and 53/100 in Lincoln.
Lincoln is the default on housing cost at $1,086/month versus $2,007 in Jersey City; Jersey City stays in play when $97,710 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $921 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jersey City and Lincoln, plus other cities in NJ and NE.
