Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Allen, TX
VS
Lincoln, NE
🏆 Allen leads 14 of 23 categories
Allen
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$121,259 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
28 ✓ Safer
Population
105,444
Lincoln
Nebraska
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,846
Violent Crime Index
92
Population
290,531 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Allen, TX
Pros
Households earn $53,413 more per year on average
69% less violent crime than Lincoln
Violent crime is well below the national average (106.4 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 55.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 36°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,747/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $390,200
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Lincoln
Higher unemployment (4.3% vs 3.3%)
Lincoln, NE
Pros
Rent averages $749/mo less ($998 vs $1,747)
Homes cost $160k less ($230,400 vs $390,200)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (3.3%)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Allen
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.0)
Cons
Median income trails Allen by $53,413/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Allen
Median Income
$53,413
$121,259 vs $67,846/yr
Allen
Violent Crime
69% lower
106.4 vs 347.9 per 100k
Allen
Summer Heat
5.6°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 89.4°F
Lincoln
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.0 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Lincoln
Median Home Value
$160k less
$230,400 vs $390,200
Lincoln
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
3.3% vs 4.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lincoln, NE |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 92.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $390,200⚠ High | $230,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,747⚠ High | $998 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $121,259 ✓ Higher | $67,846 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High | 3.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.0 min | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 21.4% ✓ Higher | 8.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 34 ✓ Safer | 102⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 28 ✓ Safer | 92 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 42 ✓ Safer | 116⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (125) ✓ Better | B+ (106) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.2:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.2% ✓ Higher | 40.9% |
| High School or Higher | 95.8% ✓ Higher | 92.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ALLEN ISD | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.5°F ✓ Warmer | 35.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 89.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" | 30.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.6" ✓ Less | 26.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 105,444 | 290,531 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.8 ✓ Older | 33.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.9% ✓ Higher | 56.3% |
| Under 18 | 25.9% ✓ More | 22.0% |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Allen's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Lincoln's 92.0 (US average = 100).
Lincoln is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Allen leads 14 of 23 categories. Allen wins 14 and Lincoln wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Allen to Lincoln or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($390,200 vs $230,400 median home), income ($121,259 vs $67,846), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Allen, TX and Lincoln, NE are about 532 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.