City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 233 in Stockton, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,577 in Stockton.
Safety is where Stockton and Lincoln split most clearly. Lincoln scores 109 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,577 in Stockton and $1,086 in Lincoln.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lincoln costs less and Stockton 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
Stockton and Lincoln are 1,325 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,577 a month in Stockton to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $491 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $79,907 in Stockton to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $8,040 (10%).
The crime index goes from 233 in Stockton to 124 in Lincoln, down 109 points (47%).
The move
Lincoln and Stockton are 1,325 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,577 a month in Stockton, up $491 a month (45%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $79,907 in Stockton, up $8,040 (11%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 233 in Stockton, up 109 points (88%).
Stockton, 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 Stockton and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
31% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 31% cheaper than Stockton
Stockton
$1,577/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,577 in Stockton, so Lincoln is 31% cheaper. That's roughly $491/month back in your pocket ($5,892/year). Over five years that's $29,460 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 Stockton, 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
11% higher
Stockton's median income is 11% higher than Lincoln
Stockton
Winner$79,907
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $79,907 in Stockton versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 11% higher in Stockton (about $8,040 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, Stockton 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
47% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 47% lower than Stockton
Stockton
233 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 233 in Stockton (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 47% 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. Stockton can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Stockton weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Stockton
Winner71°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Stockton averages about 71°F (83°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Stockton 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. Stockton 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 11% higher ($79,907), 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 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 47% lower than Stockton (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Lincoln: Lincoln scores 53/100 versus 34/100 in Stockton, with typical rent at $1,086 versus $1,577. I would vet the exact ZIP in Stockton before trading 19 safety points for housing savings.
Stockton still pays more locally ($79,907 median income vs $71,867), which can offset the lease if your field pays Stockton rates.
Weather averages land near 71°F in Stockton and 55°F in Lincoln.
Lincoln clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Stockton deserves a serious look only when you already know the Stockton 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 Stockton and Lincoln, plus other cities in CA and NE.
