City comparison
Yes. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 134 in Huntsville, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 127, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,171 in Huntsville.
Lincoln and Huntsville are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,086 in Lincoln and $1,171 in Huntsville, and median household income lands at $71,867 versus $74,714. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Lincoln is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Huntsville 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.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Lincoln and Huntsville are 691 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,171 a month in Huntsville, up $85 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $74,714 in Huntsville, up $2,847 (4%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 134 in Huntsville, up 10 points (8%).
The move
Huntsville and Lincoln are 691 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,171 a month in Huntsville to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $85 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $74,714 in Huntsville to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $2,847 (4%).
The crime index goes from 134 in Huntsville to 124 in Lincoln, down 10 points (7%).
Lincoln, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Huntsville, AL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lincoln and Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 7% cheaper than Huntsville
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Huntsville
$1,171/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,171 in Huntsville, so Lincoln is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $85, or $1,020 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Huntsville's median income is 4% higher than Lincoln
Lincoln
$71,867
Huntsville
Winner$74,714
Median household income is $74,714 in Huntsville versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Huntsville (about $2,847 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
7% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 7% lower than Huntsville
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Huntsville
134 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 134 in Huntsville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 7% 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 Huntsville. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
11% more comfortable
Lincoln weather is 11% more comfortable than Huntsville
Lincoln
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Huntsville
58°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 80/100
Lincoln averages about 61°F (70°F highs); Huntsville averages about 58°F (69°F highs). Lincoln averages around 61°F. Huntsville averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lincoln scores 11% 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 Huntsville if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
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 7% 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 (61°F) beat Huntsville on this page's weather index by 11%. Huntsville 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 7% lower than Huntsville (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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Huntsville is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 4% higher here ($74,714). Start with Huntsville if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Huntsville carries the heavier crime signal on this page (51/100 safety vs 53/100 in Lincoln). That 2-point spread matters more than the $85 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
With only $85 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,086 in Lincoln and $1,171 in Huntsville.
Pick Lincoln when you want the stronger safety signal (53/100). Otherwise, Huntsville's case rests on a Huntsville ZIP you trust at $1,171 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Lincoln and Huntsville, plus other cities in NE and AL.
