City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 242 in Orlando, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 241, using 2022 FBI data for Orlando and 2024-2025 FBI data for Lincoln.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,747 in Orlando.
Safety is where Orlando and Lincoln split most clearly. Lincoln scores 118 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,747 in Orlando and $1,086 in Lincoln.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lincoln costs less and Orlando 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
Orlando and Lincoln are 1,210 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,747 a month in Orlando to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $661 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $72,336 in Orlando to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $469 (1%).
The crime index goes from 242 in Orlando to 124 in Lincoln, down 118 points (49%).
The move
Lincoln and Orlando are 1,210 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,747 a month in Orlando, up $661 a month (61%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $72,336 in Orlando, up $469 (1%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 242 in Orlando, up 118 points (95%).
Orlando, 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 Orlando and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
38% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 38% cheaper than Orlando
Orlando
$1,747/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,747 in Orlando, so Lincoln is 38% cheaper. That's roughly $661/month back in your pocket ($7,932/year). Over five years that's $39,660 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 Orlando, 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
1% higher
Orlando's median income is 1% higher than Lincoln
Orlando
Winner$72,336
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $72,336 in Orlando versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Orlando (about $469 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
49% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 49% lower than Orlando
Orlando
242 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 242 in Orlando (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 49% 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. Orlando can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Orlando weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Orlando
Winner71°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Orlando averages about 71°F (78°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Orlando sits near 71°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. Orlando 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 1% higher ($72,336), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°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 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 fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 49% lower than Orlando (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 $1,747 in Orlando ($661 apart). Orlando median income is $72,336 against $71,867 in Lincoln, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Safety still diverges (53/100 in Lincoln vs 33/100 in Orlando), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 71°F in Orlando and 55°F in Lincoln.
Lincoln clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Orlando deserves a serious look only when your $72,336 income offer in Orlando outweighs saving $661/month in Lincoln.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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