City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,371 in Minneapolis.
Safety is where Minneapolis and Lincoln split most clearly. Lincoln scores 179 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,371 in Minneapolis and $1,086 in Lincoln.
This is a genuine split. Minneapolis wins on the job market and Lincoln wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
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
Minneapolis and Lincoln are 336 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $285 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $8,979 (11%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 124 in Lincoln, down 179 points (59%).
The move
Lincoln and Minneapolis are 336 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, up $285 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $8,979 (12%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 303 in Minneapolis, up 179 points (144%).
Minneapolis, MN
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 Minneapolis and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 21% cheaper than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
$1,371/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,371 in Minneapolis, so Lincoln is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $285/month back in your pocket ($3,420/year). Over five years that's $17,100 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 Minneapolis, 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
12% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 12% higher than Lincoln
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 12% higher in Minneapolis (about $8,979 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, Minneapolis 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
59% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 59% lower than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 59% 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. Minneapolis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Minneapolis and Lincoln are about even on typical weather.
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°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. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Minneapolis is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 12% higher here ($80,846). Start with Minneapolis if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 21% 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 59% lower than Minneapolis (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 26/100 in Minneapolis. Rent is $1,086/month in Lincoln and $1,371/month in Minneapolis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Minneapolis still pays more locally ($80,846 median income vs $71,867), which can offset the lease if your field pays Minneapolis rates.
Median income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $71,867 in Lincoln.
Lincoln is ahead on safety (53/100 vs 26/100); Minneapolis is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,371/month rent plus $80,846 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Minneapolis and Lincoln, plus other cities in MN and NE.
