City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 158 in Los Angeles, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 202, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,933 in Los Angeles.
The cost gap between Los Angeles and Lincoln is the real story here. Lincoln comes in 44% cheaper on typical rent ($1,933 vs $1,086), which over a year adds up to $10,164. Median household income runs $81,939 in Los Angeles and $71,867 in Lincoln.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lincoln costs less and Los Angeles 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
Los Angeles and Lincoln are 1,268 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,933 a month in Los Angeles to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $847 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $81,939 in Los Angeles to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $10,072 (12%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Los Angeles to 124 in Lincoln, down 34 points (22%).
The move
Lincoln and Los Angeles are 1,268 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,933 a month in Los Angeles, up $847 a month (78%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $81,939 in Los Angeles, up $10,072 (14%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 158 in Los Angeles, up 34 points (27%).
Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
44% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 44% cheaper than Los Angeles
Los Angeles
$1,933/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,933 in Los Angeles, so Lincoln is 44% cheaper. That's roughly $847/month back in your pocket ($10,164/year). Over five years that's $50,820 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 Los Angeles, 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
14% higher
Los Angeles's median income is 14% higher than Lincoln
Los Angeles
Winner$81,939
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 14% higher in Los Angeles (about $10,072 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, Los Angeles 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
22% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 22% lower than Los Angeles
Los Angeles
158 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 158 in Los Angeles (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 22% 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. Los Angeles can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Los Angeles weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Los Angeles
Winner77°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Los Angeles averages about 77°F (83°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Los Angeles sits near 77°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. Los Angeles 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 14% higher ($81,939), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 77°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 44% 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 22% lower than Los Angeles (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
Los Angeles runs $1,933/month while Lincoln sits at $1,086 — roughly 44% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Los Angeles-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Lincoln rent at $1,086/month is still below Los Angeles's $1,933, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 46/100 in Los Angeles and 53/100 in Lincoln.
Lincoln is the default on housing cost at $1,086/month versus $1,933 in Los Angeles; Los Angeles stays in play when $81,939 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $847 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Los Angeles and Lincoln, plus other cities in CA and NE.
