City comparison
Yes. Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 124 in Lincoln, and its violent crime index is 112 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Tampa and Lincoln. Tampa averages 75°F while Lincoln averages 55°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,701 versus $1,086.
Tampa is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Lincoln makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Tampa is the stronger move.
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
Tampa and Lincoln are 1,199 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $615 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $3,608 (5%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 124 in Lincoln, up 31 points (33%).
The move
Lincoln and Tampa are 1,199 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $615 a month (57%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $75,475 in Tampa, up $3,608 (5%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 93 in Tampa, down 31 points (25%).
Tampa, FL
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 Tampa and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
36% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 36% cheaper than Tampa
Tampa
$1,701/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,701 in Tampa, so Lincoln is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $615/month back in your pocket ($7,380/year). Over five years that's $36,900 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 Tampa, 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 Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
5% higher
Tampa's median income is 5% higher than Lincoln
Tampa
Winner$75,475
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Tampa (about $3,608 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
25% lower crime
Tampa's crime index is 25% lower than Lincoln
Tampa
Winner93 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
124 (100 = avg)
Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 124 in Lincoln (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 25% lower in Tampa. 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, Tampa is the easier city. Lincoln can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Tampa weather is 39% more comfortable than Lincoln
Tampa
Winner75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Tampa sits near 75°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. Tampa 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 5% higher ($75,475), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 75°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Tampa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 25% lower than Lincoln (93 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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Lincoln
Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 36% 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.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Lincoln at $1,086/month versus $1,701 in Tampa ($615 apart). Tampa median income is $75,475 against $71,867 in Lincoln, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Safety still diverges (62/100 in Tampa vs 53/100 in Lincoln), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Safety scores read 62/100 in Tampa and 53/100 in Lincoln.
If housing cost drives your move, Lincoln is the stronger match ($1,086/month rent against $1,701). If an employer or family tie already points to Tampa, treat $1,701/month rent and $75,475 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 Tampa and Lincoln, plus other cities in FL and NE.
