City comparison
No. Garland's crime index is 87 versus 124 in Lincoln, and its violent crime index is 62 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,641 in Garland.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Lincoln and Garland. Lincoln averages 55°F while Garland averages 66°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,086 versus $1,641.
Garland 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 Garland 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 Garland are 545 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,641 a month in Garland, up $555 a month (51%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $76,320 in Garland, up $4,453 (6%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 87 in Garland, down 37 points (30%).
The move
Garland and Lincoln are 545 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,641 a month in Garland to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $555 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $76,320 in Garland to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $4,453 (6%).
The crime index goes from 87 in Garland to 124 in Lincoln, up 37 points (43%).
Lincoln, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Garland, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lincoln and Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
34% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 34% cheaper than Garland
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Garland
$1,641/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,641 in Garland, so Lincoln is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $555/month back in your pocket ($6,660/year). Over five years that's $33,300 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 Garland, 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 Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Garland's median income is 6% higher than Lincoln
Lincoln
$71,867
Garland
Winner$76,320
Median household income is $76,320 in Garland versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Garland (about $4,453 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
30% lower crime
Garland's crime index is 30% lower than Lincoln
Lincoln
124 (100 = avg)
Garland
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Garland's crime index is 87 versus 124 in Lincoln (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 30% lower in Garland. 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, Garland 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
Garland weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Garland
Winner66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs); Garland averages about 66°F (73°F highs). Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Garland sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Garland 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 34% 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 6% higher ($76,320), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 66°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Garland is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 30% lower than Lincoln (87 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 $1,641 in Garland ($555 apart). Garland median income is $76,320 against $71,867 in Lincoln, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Safety still diverges (64/100 in Garland vs 53/100 in Lincoln), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 55°F in Lincoln and 66°F in Garland.
Pick Lincoln when shaving $555 off rent at $1,086/month is the priority. Otherwise, Garland's case rests on $1,641/month rent with $76,320 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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