City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 187 in Long Beach, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 189, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,871 in Long Beach.
The cost gap between Long Beach and Lincoln is the real story here. Lincoln comes in 42% cheaper on typical rent ($1,871 vs $1,086), which over a year adds up to $9,420. Median household income runs $87,430 in Long Beach and $71,867 in Lincoln.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lincoln costs less and Long Beach 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
Long Beach and Lincoln are 1,275 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,871 a month in Long Beach to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $785 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $87,430 in Long Beach to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $15,563 (18%).
The crime index goes from 187 in Long Beach to 124 in Lincoln, down 63 points (34%).
The move
Lincoln and Long Beach are 1,275 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,871 a month in Long Beach, up $785 a month (72%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $87,430 in Long Beach, up $15,563 (22%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 187 in Long Beach, up 63 points (51%).
Long Beach, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Lincoln, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Long Beach and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
42% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 42% cheaper than Long Beach
Long Beach
$1,871/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,871 in Long Beach, so Lincoln is 42% cheaper. That's roughly $785/month back in your pocket ($9,420/year). Over five years that's $47,100 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 Long Beach, 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
22% higher
Long Beach's median income is 22% higher than Lincoln
Long Beach
Winner$87,430
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $87,430 in Long Beach versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 22% higher in Long Beach (about $15,563 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, Long Beach 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
34% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 34% lower than Long Beach
Long Beach
187 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 187 in Long Beach (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 34% lower in Lincoln. 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, Lincoln is the easier city. Long Beach can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Long Beach weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Long Beach
Winner76°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Long Beach averages about 76°F (81°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Long Beach sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Long Beach 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
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 22% higher ($87,430), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 42% 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.
Lincoln is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 34% lower than Long Beach (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.
Bottom line
Long Beach runs $1,871/month while Lincoln sits at $1,086 — roughly 42% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Long Beach-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Safety still diverges (53/100 in Lincoln vs 41/100 in Long Beach), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Safety scores read 41/100 in Long Beach and 53/100 in Lincoln.
Between Long Beach and Lincoln, Lincoln is ahead on housing cost — $1,086/month rent against $1,871. Lean Long Beach instead when your $87,430 income offer in Long Beach outweighs saving $785/month in Lincoln.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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