City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 181 in Sacramento, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 213, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,779 in Sacramento.
The cost gap between Sacramento and Lincoln is the real story here. Lincoln comes in 39% cheaper on typical rent ($1,779 vs $1,086), which over a year adds up to $8,316. Median household income runs $87,321 in Sacramento and $71,867 in Lincoln.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lincoln costs less and Sacramento 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
Sacramento and Lincoln are 1,324 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,779 a month in Sacramento to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $693 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $87,321 in Sacramento to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $15,454 (18%).
The crime index goes from 181 in Sacramento to 124 in Lincoln, down 57 points (31%).
The move
Lincoln and Sacramento are 1,324 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,779 a month in Sacramento, up $693 a month (64%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $87,321 in Sacramento, up $15,454 (22%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 181 in Sacramento, up 57 points (46%).
Sacramento, CA
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 Sacramento and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
39% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 39% cheaper than Sacramento
Sacramento
$1,779/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,779 in Sacramento, so Lincoln is 39% cheaper. That's roughly $693/month back in your pocket ($8,316/year). Over five years that's $41,580 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 Sacramento, 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
22% higher
Sacramento's median income is 22% higher than Lincoln
Sacramento
Winner$87,321
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $87,321 in Sacramento versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 22% higher in Sacramento (about $15,454 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, Sacramento 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
31% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 31% lower than Sacramento
Sacramento
181 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 181 in Sacramento (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 31% 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. Sacramento can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Sacramento weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Sacramento
Winner71°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Sacramento averages about 71°F (83°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Sacramento 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. Sacramento 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 22% higher ($87,321), 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 39% 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 31% lower than Sacramento (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 $1,779 in Sacramento ($693 apart). Sacramento median income is $87,321 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 42/100 in Sacramento), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 71°F in Sacramento and 55°F in Lincoln.
If housing cost drives your move, Lincoln is the stronger match ($1,086/month rent against $1,779). If an employer or family tie already points to Sacramento, treat $1,779/month rent and $87,321 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Sacramento and Lincoln, plus other cities in CA and NE.
