City comparison
Madison is safer than Lincoln. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 124 in Lincoln, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,413 in Madison.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Lincoln and Madison. Lincoln averages 61°F while Madison averages 53°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,086 versus $1,413.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lincoln costs less and Madison 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
Lincoln and Madison are 405 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,413 a month in Madison, up $327 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $78,050 in Madison, up $6,183 (9%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 91 in Madison, down 33 points (27%).
The move
Madison and Lincoln are 405 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $327 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $6,183 (8%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 124 in Lincoln, up 33 points (36%).
Lincoln, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Madison, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lincoln and Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 23% cheaper than Madison
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Madison
$1,413/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,413 in Madison, so Lincoln is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $327/month back in your pocket ($3,924/year). Over five years that's $19,620 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 Madison, 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
9% higher
Madison's median income is 9% higher than Lincoln
Lincoln
$71,867
Madison
Winner$78,050
Median household income is $78,050 in Madison versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 9% higher in Madison (about $6,183 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
27% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 27% lower than Lincoln
Lincoln
124 (100 = avg)
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 124 in Lincoln (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 27% lower in Madison. 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, Madison 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
35% more comfortable
Lincoln weather is 35% more comfortable than Madison
Lincoln
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Madison
53°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 66/100
Lincoln averages about 61°F (70°F highs); Madison averages about 53°F (61°F highs). Lincoln averages around 61°F. Madison averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lincoln scores 35% 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 Madison 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 23% 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 Madison on this page's weather index by 35%. Madison may pay more or cost less, but Lincoln is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Madison is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 9% higher here ($78,050). Start with Madison if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Madison is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 27% lower than Lincoln (91 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 $1,413 in Madison ($327 apart). Madison median income is $78,050 against $71,867 in Lincoln, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Safety still diverges (63/100 in Madison vs 53/100 in Lincoln), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 61°F in Lincoln and 53°F in Madison.
Lincoln clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Madison deserves a serious look only when your $78,050 income offer in Madison outweighs saving $327/month in Lincoln.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Lincoln and Madison, plus other cities in NE and WI.
