City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 223 in Washington, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 243, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,954 in Washington.
The income gap between Washington and Lincoln is significant: $109,870 median household versus $71,867. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,954 in Washington and $1,086 in Lincoln.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lincoln costs less and Washington 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
Washington and Lincoln are 1,047 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,954 a month in Washington to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $868 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $109,870 in Washington to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $38,003 (35%).
The crime index goes from 223 in Washington to 124 in Lincoln, down 99 points (44%).
The move
Lincoln and Washington are 1,047 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,954 a month in Washington, up $868 a month (80%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $109,870 in Washington, up $38,003 (53%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 223 in Washington, up 99 points (80%).
Washington, DC
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 Washington and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
44% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 44% cheaper than Washington
Washington
$1,954/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,954 in Washington, so Lincoln is 44% cheaper. That's roughly $868/month back in your pocket ($10,416/year). Over five years that's $52,080 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 Washington, 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
53% higher
Washington's median income is 53% higher than Lincoln
Washington
Winner$109,870
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $109,870 in Washington versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 53% higher in Washington (about $38,003 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, Washington 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
44% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 44% lower than Washington
Washington
223 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 223 in Washington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 44% 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. Washington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
4% more comfortable
Washington weather is 4% more comfortable than Lincoln
Washington
Winner56°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 75/100
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Washington averages about 56°F (63°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Washington averages around 56°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. Washington scores 4% 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 53% higher ($109,870), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 56°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 44% 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 44% lower than Washington (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 $1,954 in Washington ($868 apart). Washington median income is $109,870 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 Washington's $1,954, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $109,870 in Washington versus $71,867 in Lincoln.
If housing cost drives your move, Lincoln is the stronger match ($1,086/month rent against $1,954). If an employer or family tie already points to Washington, treat $1,954/month rent and $109,870 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 Washington and Lincoln, plus other cities in DC and NE.
