City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 265 in Portland, 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 $1,655 in Portland.
Safety is where Portland and Lincoln split most clearly. Lincoln scores 141 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,655 in Portland and $1,086 in Lincoln.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lincoln costs less and Portland 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
Portland and Lincoln are 1,344 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,655 a month in Portland to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $569 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $90,919 in Portland to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $19,052 (21%).
The crime index goes from 265 in Portland to 124 in Lincoln, down 141 points (53%).
The move
Lincoln and Portland are 1,344 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,655 a month in Portland, up $569 a month (52%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $90,919 in Portland, up $19,052 (27%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 265 in Portland, up 141 points (114%).
Portland, OR
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 Portland and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
34% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 34% cheaper than Portland
Portland
$1,655/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,655 in Portland, so Lincoln is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $569/month back in your pocket ($6,828/year). Over five years that's $34,140 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 Portland, 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
27% higher
Portland's median income is 27% higher than Lincoln
Portland
Winner$90,919
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $90,919 in Portland versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 27% higher in Portland (about $19,052 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, Portland 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
53% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 53% lower than Portland
Portland
265 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 265 in Portland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 53% 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. Portland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
19% more comfortable
Portland weather is 19% more comfortable than Lincoln
Portland
Winner60°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 86/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Portland averages about 60°F (68°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Portland averages around 60°F. Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Portland scores 19% 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 27% higher ($90,919), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 60°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 34% 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 53% lower than Portland (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
Portland carries the heavier crime signal on this page (30/100 safety vs 53/100 in Lincoln). That 23-point spread matters more than the $569 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Portland still pays more locally ($90,919 median income vs $71,867), which can offset the lease if your field pays Portland rates.
Median income is $90,919 in Portland versus $71,867 in Lincoln.
Lincoln clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Portland deserves a serious look only when you already know the Portland block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Portland and Lincoln, plus other cities in OR and NE.
