City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 209 in Louisville, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 207, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,120 in Louisville.
Safety is where Louisville and Lincoln split most clearly. Lincoln scores 85 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,120 in Louisville and $1,086 in Lincoln.
Lincoln is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and safety by margins that add up in daily life. Louisville makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Lincoln is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Lincoln has rougher pockets and Louisville has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Louisville and Lincoln are 607 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,120 a month in Louisville to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $34 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $66,849 in Louisville to $71,867 in Lincoln, up $5,018 (8%).
The crime index goes from 209 in Louisville to 124 in Lincoln, down 85 points (41%).
The move
Lincoln and Louisville are 607 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,120 a month in Louisville, up $34 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $66,849 in Louisville, down $5,018 (7%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 209 in Louisville, up 85 points (69%).
Louisville, KY
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 Louisville and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
3% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 3% cheaper than Louisville
Louisville
$1,120/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,120 in Louisville, so Lincoln is 3% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $34, or $408 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Lincoln's median income is 8% higher than Louisville
Louisville
$66,849
Lincoln
Winner$71,867
Median household income is $71,867 in Lincoln versus $66,849 in Louisville, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Lincoln (about $5,018 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
41% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 41% lower than Louisville
Louisville
209 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 209 in Louisville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 41% 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. Louisville can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
4% more comfortable
Louisville weather is 4% more comfortable than Lincoln
Louisville
Winner56°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 75/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Louisville averages about 56°F (65°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Louisville averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Louisville scores 4% 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Louisville if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (56°F) beat Lincoln on this page's weather index by 4%. Lincoln may pay more or cost less, but Louisville is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 3% 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 city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 8% higher here ($71,867). Start with Lincoln if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Lincoln is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 41% lower than Louisville (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
Safety is the widest gap: Lincoln scores 53/100 versus 38/100 in Louisville. Rent is $1,086/month in Lincoln and $1,120/month in Louisville, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Safety still diverges (53/100 in Lincoln vs 38/100 in Louisville), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 56°F in Louisville and 55°F in Lincoln.
Lincoln is ahead on safety (53/100 vs 38/100); Louisville is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,120/month rent plus $66,849 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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