City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 252 in Seattle, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 216, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $2,030 in Seattle.
The income gap between Seattle and Lincoln is significant: $123,860 median household versus $71,867. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,030 in Seattle and $1,086 in Lincoln.
This is a genuine split. Seattle wins on the job market and Lincoln wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
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
Seattle and Lincoln are 1,348 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,030 a month in Seattle to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $944 a month (47%).
Median household income goes from $123,860 in Seattle to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $51,993 (42%).
The crime index goes from 252 in Seattle to 124 in Lincoln, down 128 points (51%).
The move
Lincoln and Seattle are 1,348 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $2,030 a month in Seattle, up $944 a month (87%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $123,860 in Seattle, up $51,993 (72%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 252 in Seattle, up 128 points (103%).
Seattle, WA
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 Seattle and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
47% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 47% cheaper than Seattle
Seattle
$2,030/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $2,030 in Seattle, so Lincoln is 47% cheaper. That's roughly $944/month back in your pocket ($11,328/year). Over five years that's $56,640 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 Seattle, 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
72% higher
Seattle's median income is 72% higher than Lincoln
Seattle
Winner$123,860
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $123,860 in Seattle versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 72% higher in Seattle (about $51,993 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, Seattle 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
51% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 51% lower than Seattle
Seattle
252 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 252 in Seattle (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 51% 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. Seattle can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Seattle and Lincoln are about even on typical weather.
Seattle
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Seattle averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Seattle averages around 55°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. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Seattle is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 72% higher here ($123,860). Start with Seattle if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 47% 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 51% lower than Seattle (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
On rent alone, Lincoln undercuts Seattle by $944/month ($1,086 vs $2,030). I would not pick Seattle on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Lincoln rent at $1,086/month is still below Seattle's $2,030, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $123,860 in Seattle versus $71,867 in Lincoln.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Lincoln; Seattle only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Seattle at $123,860 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Lincoln when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Seattle and Lincoln, plus other cities in WA and NE.
