City comparison
No. Chandler's crime index is 61 versus 124 in Lincoln, and its violent crime index is 38 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,902 in Chandler.
Safety is where Lincoln and Chandler split most clearly. Chandler scores 63 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 $1,902 in Chandler.
Chandler 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 Chandler 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 Chandler are 982 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,902 a month in Chandler, up $816 a month (75%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $108,095 in Chandler, up $36,228 (50%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 61 in Chandler, down 63 points (51%).
The move
Chandler and Lincoln are 982 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,902 a month in Chandler to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $816 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $108,095 in Chandler to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $36,228 (34%).
The crime index goes from 61 in Chandler to 124 in Lincoln, up 63 points (103%).
Lincoln, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Chandler, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lincoln and Chandler? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
43% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 43% cheaper than Chandler
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Chandler
$1,902/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,902 in Chandler, so Lincoln is 43% cheaper. That's roughly $816/month back in your pocket ($9,792/year). Over five years that's $48,960 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 Chandler, 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 Chandler? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
50% higher
Chandler's median income is 50% higher than Lincoln
Lincoln
$71,867
Chandler
Winner$108,095
Median household income is $108,095 in Chandler versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 50% higher in Chandler (about $36,228 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, Chandler 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
51% lower crime
Chandler's crime index is 51% lower than Lincoln
Lincoln
124 (100 = avg)
Chandler
Winner61 (100 = avg)
Chandler's crime index is 61 versus 124 in Lincoln (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 51% lower in Chandler. 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, Chandler 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
Chandler weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Chandler
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs); Chandler averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Chandler sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Chandler 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 43% 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 50% higher ($108,095), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 80°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Chandler is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 51% lower than Lincoln (61 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 Chandler by $816/month ($1,086 vs $1,902). I would not pick Chandler on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Safety still diverges (75/100 in Chandler vs 53/100 in Lincoln), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 55°F in Lincoln and 80°F in Chandler.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Lincoln; Chandler only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Chandler at $108,095 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Chandler when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Lincoln and Chandler, plus other cities in NE and AZ.
