City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 169 in New York, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 195, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,821 in New York.
The cost gap between New York and Lincoln is the real story here. Lincoln comes in 40% cheaper on typical rent ($1,821 vs $1,086), which over a year adds up to $8,820. Median household income runs $80,483 in New York and $71,867 in Lincoln.
Lincoln is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. New York 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
New York and Lincoln are 1,183 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,821 a month in New York to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $735 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $80,483 in New York to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $8,616 (11%).
The crime index goes from 169 in New York to 124 in Lincoln, down 45 points (27%).
The move
Lincoln and New York are 1,183 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,821 a month in New York, up $735 a month (68%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $80,483 in New York, up $8,616 (12%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 169 in New York, up 45 points (36%).
New York, NY
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 New York and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
40% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 40% cheaper than New York
New York
$1,821/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,821 in New York, so Lincoln is 40% cheaper. That's roughly $735/month back in your pocket ($8,820/year). Over five years that's $44,100 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 New York, 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
New York's median income is 12% higher than Lincoln
New York
Winner$80,483
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $80,483 in New York versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 12% higher in New York (about $8,616 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, New York 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
27% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 27% lower than New York
New York
169 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 169 in New York (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 27% 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. New York can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
13% more comfortable
Lincoln weather is 13% more comfortable than New York
New York
52°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 64/100
Lincoln
Winner55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
New York averages about 52°F (58°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). New York averages around 52°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. Lincoln scores 13% 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 New York 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 and professional growth
New York is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 12% higher here ($80,483). Start with New York if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 40% 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.
Pick Lincoln if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (55°F) beat New York on this page's weather index by 13%. New York may pay more or cost less, but Lincoln is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Lincoln is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 27% lower than New York (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
Rent is the clearest fork: Lincoln at $1,086/month versus $1,821 in New York ($735 apart). New York median income is $80,483 against $71,867 in Lincoln, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Lincoln rent at $1,086/month is still below New York's $1,821, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $80,483 in New York versus $71,867 in Lincoln.
Pick Lincoln when shaving $735 off rent at $1,086/month is the priority. Otherwise, New York's case rests on $1,821/month rent with $80,483 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for New York and Lincoln, plus other cities in NY and NE.
