City comparison
No. Cape Coral's crime index is 46 versus 124 in Lincoln, and its violent crime index is 35 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data for Lincoln and 2024 FBI data for Cape Coral.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,858 in Cape Coral.
Safety is where Lincoln and Cape Coral split most clearly. Cape Coral scores 78 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,086 in Lincoln and $1,858 in Cape Coral.
Cape Coral 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 Cape Coral 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
Lincoln and Cape Coral are 1,294 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,858 a month in Cape Coral, up $772 a month (71%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $78,104 in Cape Coral, up $6,237 (9%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 46 in Cape Coral, down 78 points (63%).
The move
Cape Coral and Lincoln are 1,294 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,858 a month in Cape Coral to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $772 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $78,104 in Cape Coral to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $6,237 (8%).
The crime index goes from 46 in Cape Coral to 124 in Lincoln, up 78 points (170%).
Lincoln, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Cape Coral, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lincoln and Cape Coral? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
42% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 42% cheaper than Cape Coral
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Cape Coral
$1,858/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,858 in Cape Coral, so Lincoln is 42% cheaper. That's roughly $772/month back in your pocket ($9,264/year). Over five years that's $46,320 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 Cape Coral, 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 Cape Coral? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
9% higher
Cape Coral's median income is 9% higher than Lincoln
Lincoln
$71,867
Cape Coral
Winner$78,104
Median household income is $78,104 in Cape Coral versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 9% higher in Cape Coral (about $6,237 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
63% lower crime
Cape Coral's crime index is 63% lower than Lincoln
Lincoln
124 (100 = avg)
Cape Coral
Winner46 (100 = avg)
Cape Coral's crime index is 46 versus 124 in Lincoln (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 63% lower in Cape Coral. 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, Cape Coral 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
Cape Coral weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Cape Coral
Winner72°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs); Cape Coral averages about 72°F (79°F highs). Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Cape Coral sits near 72°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Cape Coral 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
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 42% 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.
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 9% higher ($78,104), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 72°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Cape Coral is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 63% lower than Lincoln (46 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
Lincoln carries the heavier crime signal on this page (53/100 safety vs 84/100 in Cape Coral). That 31-point spread matters more than the $772 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Cape Coral still pays more locally ($78,104 median income vs $71,867), which can offset the lease if your field pays Cape Coral rates.
Weather averages land near 55°F in Lincoln and 72°F in Cape Coral.
Cape Coral clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Lincoln deserves a serious look only when you already know the Lincoln block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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