City comparison
No. Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 124 in Lincoln, and its violent crime index is 48 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $2,013 in Scottsdale.
The income gap between Lincoln and Scottsdale is significant: $71,867 median household versus $110,886. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,086 in Lincoln and $2,013 in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale are 976 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $2,013 a month in Scottsdale, up $927 a month (85%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $110,886 in Scottsdale, up $39,019 (54%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 79 in Scottsdale, down 45 points (36%).
The move
Scottsdale and Lincoln are 976 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,013 a month in Scottsdale to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $927 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $110,886 in Scottsdale to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $39,019 (35%).
The crime index goes from 79 in Scottsdale to 124 in Lincoln, up 45 points (57%).
Lincoln, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Scottsdale, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lincoln and Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
46% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 46% cheaper than Scottsdale
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Scottsdale
$2,013/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $2,013 in Scottsdale, so Lincoln is 46% cheaper. That's roughly $927/month back in your pocket ($11,124/year). Over five years that's $55,620 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 Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
54% higher
Scottsdale's median income is 54% higher than Lincoln
Lincoln
$71,867
Scottsdale
Winner$110,886
Median household income is $110,886 in Scottsdale versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 54% higher in Scottsdale (about $39,019 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, Scottsdale 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
36% lower crime
Scottsdale's crime index is 36% lower than Lincoln
Lincoln
124 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale
Winner79 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 124 in Lincoln (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 36% lower in Scottsdale. 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, Scottsdale 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
Scottsdale weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Scottsdale
Winner74°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs); Scottsdale averages about 74°F (80°F highs). Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Scottsdale sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Scottsdale 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 46% 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 54% higher ($110,886), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Scottsdale is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 36% lower than Lincoln (79 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 $2,013 in Scottsdale ($927 apart). Scottsdale median income is $110,886 against $71,867 in Lincoln, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Lincoln rent at $1,086/month is still below Scottsdale's $2,013, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 53/100 in Lincoln and 67/100 in Scottsdale.
Pick Lincoln when shaving $927 off rent at $1,086/month is the priority. Otherwise, Scottsdale's case rests on $2,013/month rent with $110,886 local income.
Common questions
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