City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 140 in Miami, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 121, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,758 in Miami.
The cost gap between Miami and Lincoln is the real story here. Lincoln comes in 38% cheaper on typical rent ($1,758 vs $1,086), which over a year adds up to $8,064. Median household income runs $62,462 in Miami and $71,867 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. Miami 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 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
Miami and Lincoln are 1,403 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,758 a month in Miami to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $672 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $62,462 in Miami to $71,867 in Lincoln, up $9,405 (15%).
The crime index goes from 140 in Miami to 124 in Lincoln, down 16 points (11%).
The move
Lincoln and Miami are 1,403 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,758 a month in Miami, up $672 a month (62%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $62,462 in Miami, down $9,405 (13%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 140 in Miami, up 16 points (13%).
Miami, FL
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 Miami and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
38% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 38% cheaper than Miami
Miami
$1,758/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,758 in Miami, so Lincoln is 38% cheaper. That's roughly $672/month back in your pocket ($8,064/year). Over five years that's $40,320 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 Miami, 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
15% higher
Lincoln's median income is 15% higher than Miami
Miami
$62,462
Lincoln
Winner$71,867
Median household income is $71,867 in Lincoln versus $62,462 in Miami, so typical pay runs 15% higher in Lincoln (about $9,405 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, Lincoln is the stronger labor market on paper. Miami can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
11% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 11% lower than Miami
Miami
140 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 140 in Miami (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 11% lower in Lincoln. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Lincoln, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Miami. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
31% more comfortable
Miami weather is 31% more comfortable than Lincoln
Miami
Winner81°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 94/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Miami averages about 81°F (83°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Miami averages around 81°F. Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Miami scores 31% 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 Miami if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (81°F) beat Lincoln on this page's weather index by 31%. Lincoln may pay more or cost less, but Miami 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 38% 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 15% 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 11% lower than Miami (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,086/month in Lincoln versus $1,758 in Miami. Median income reads $71,867 in Lincoln and $62,462 in Miami, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Median income is $71,867 in Lincoln versus $62,462 in Miami.
Pick Lincoln when shaving $672 off rent at $1,086/month is the priority. Otherwise, Miami's case rests on $1,758/month rent with $62,462 local income.
Weather averages land near 81°F in Miami and 55°F in Lincoln.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Miami and Lincoln, plus other cities in FL and NE.
