City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 138 in Las Vegas, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 122, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,563 in Las Vegas.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Las Vegas and Lincoln. Las Vegas averages 71°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 $1,563 versus $1,086.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lincoln costs less and Las Vegas pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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
Las Vegas and Lincoln are 1,046 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,563 a month in Las Vegas to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $477 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $73,877 in Las Vegas to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $2,010 (3%).
The crime index goes from 138 in Las Vegas to 124 in Lincoln, down 14 points (10%).
The move
Lincoln and Las Vegas are 1,046 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,563 a month in Las Vegas, up $477 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $73,877 in Las Vegas, up $2,010 (3%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 138 in Las Vegas, up 14 points (11%).
Las Vegas, 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 Las Vegas and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
31% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 31% cheaper than Las Vegas
Las Vegas
$1,563/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,563 in Las Vegas, so Lincoln is 31% cheaper. That's roughly $477/month back in your pocket ($5,724/year). Over five years that's $28,620 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 Las Vegas, 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
3% higher
Las Vegas's median income is 3% higher than Lincoln
Las Vegas
Winner$73,877
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $73,877 in Las Vegas versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 3% higher in Las Vegas (about $2,010 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
10% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 10% lower than Las Vegas
Las Vegas
138 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 138 in Las Vegas (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 10% 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 Las Vegas. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Las Vegas weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Las Vegas
Winner71°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Las Vegas averages about 71°F (76°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Las Vegas sits near 71°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. Las Vegas 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 3% higher ($73,877), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 31% 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 fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 10% lower than Las Vegas (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
Rent is the clearest fork: Lincoln at $1,086/month versus $1,563 in Las Vegas ($477 apart). Las Vegas median income is $73,877 against $71,867 in Lincoln, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Lincoln rent at $1,086/month is still below Las Vegas's $1,563, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 50/100 in Las Vegas and 53/100 in Lincoln.
If housing cost drives your move, Lincoln is the stronger match ($1,086/month rent against $1,563). If an employer or family tie already points to Las Vegas, treat $1,563/month rent and $73,877 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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