City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 142 in Raleigh, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 128, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
The cost gap between Raleigh and Lincoln is the real story here. Lincoln comes in 31% cheaper on typical rent ($1,572 vs $1,086), which over a year adds up to $5,832. Median household income runs $85,395 in Raleigh and $71,867 in Lincoln.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lincoln costs less and Raleigh 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
Raleigh and Lincoln are 1,035 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $486 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $13,528 (16%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 124 in Lincoln, down 18 points (13%).
The move
Lincoln and Raleigh are 1,035 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $486 a month (45%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $13,528 (19%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 142 in Raleigh, up 18 points (15%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
31% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 31% cheaper than Raleigh
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Lincoln is 31% cheaper. That's roughly $486/month back in your pocket ($5,832/year). Over five years that's $29,160 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 Raleigh, 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
19% higher
Raleigh's median income is 19% higher than Lincoln
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 19% higher in Raleigh (about $13,528 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, Raleigh 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
13% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 13% lower than Raleigh
Raleigh
142 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 142 in Raleigh (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 13% 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 Raleigh. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
19% more comfortable
Raleigh weather is 19% more comfortable than Lincoln
Raleigh
Winner60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Raleigh 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 19% higher ($85,395), 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 31% 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 13% lower than Raleigh (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 $1,572 in Raleigh ($486 apart). Raleigh median income is $85,395 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 Raleigh's $1,572, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 49/100 in Raleigh and 53/100 in Lincoln.
Pick Lincoln when shaving $486 off rent at $1,086/month is the priority. Otherwise, Raleigh's case rests on $1,572/month rent with $85,395 local income.
Common questions
Ready to move to Lincoln?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Lincoln when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Raleigh and Lincoln, plus other cities in NC and NE.
