City comparison
No. Plano's crime index is 62 versus 124 in Lincoln, and its violent crime index is 43 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,841 in Plano.
The income gap between Lincoln and Plano is significant: $71,867 median household versus $112,253. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,086 in Lincoln and $1,841 in Plano.
Plano 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 Plano 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 Plano are 538 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,841 a month in Plano, up $755 a month (70%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $112,253 in Plano, up $40,386 (56%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 62 in Plano, down 62 points (50%).
The move
Plano and Lincoln are 538 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,841 a month in Plano to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $755 a month (41%).
Median household income goes from $112,253 in Plano to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $40,386 (36%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Plano to 124 in Lincoln, up 62 points (100%).
Lincoln, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Plano, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lincoln and Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
41% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 41% cheaper than Plano
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Plano
$1,841/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,841 in Plano, so Lincoln is 41% cheaper. That's roughly $755/month back in your pocket ($9,060/year). Over five years that's $45,300 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 Plano, 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 Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
56% higher
Plano's median income is 56% higher than Lincoln
Lincoln
$71,867
Plano
Winner$112,253
Median household income is $112,253 in Plano versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 56% higher in Plano (about $40,386 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, Plano 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
50% lower crime
Plano's crime index is 50% lower than Lincoln
Lincoln
124 (100 = avg)
Plano
Winner62 (100 = avg)
Plano's crime index is 62 versus 124 in Lincoln (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 50% lower in Plano. 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, Plano 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
Plano weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Plano
Winner69°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs); Plano averages about 69°F (77°F highs). Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Plano sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Plano 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 41% 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 56% higher ($112,253), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 69°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Plano is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 50% lower than Lincoln (62 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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Plano leads on safety (75/100 vs 53/100 in Lincoln). Typical rent is $1,841 in Plano and $1,086 in Lincoln; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Plano still pays more locally ($112,253 median income vs $71,867), which can offset the lease if your field pays Plano rates.
Median income is $112,253 in Plano versus $71,867 in Lincoln.
Plano is ahead on safety (75/100 vs 53/100); Lincoln is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,086/month rent plus $71,867 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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