Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Asheville, NC
VS
Lincoln, NE
🏆 Lincoln leads 14 of 23 categories
Asheville
North Carolina
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.1
Median Household Income
$63,810
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
93,695
Lincoln
Nebraska
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,846 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
290,531 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Asheville, NC
Pros
More college-educated — 51.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 36°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $376,800
Violent crime (796.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3895.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (4.1% vs 3.3%)
Lincoln, NE
Pros
Homes cost $146k less ($230,400 vs $376,800)
56% less violent crime than Asheville
Rent averages $252/mo less ($998 vs $1,250)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (3.3%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.0)
Households earn $4,036 more per year on average
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Key Differences at a Glance
Lincoln
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 92.0 vs 96.1 (100 = US avg)
Lincoln
Median Income
$4,036
$67,846 vs $63,810/yr
Lincoln
Violent Crime
56% lower
347.9 vs 796.1 per 100k
Lincoln
Median Home Value
$146k less
$230,400 vs $376,800
Lincoln
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
3.3% vs 4.1% unemployment
Lincoln
Summer Heat
3.5°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 85.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lincoln, NE |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.1 | 92.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $376,800⚠ High | $230,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,250 | $998 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,810 | $67,846 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High | 3.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.7 min ✓ Shorter | 18.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 16.6% ✓ Higher | 8.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 200⚠ High | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 210⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | B+ (106) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 51.2% ✓ Higher | 40.9% |
| High School or Higher | 93.4% ✓ Higher | 92.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Buncombe County Schools | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.7°F ✓ Warmer | 35.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.9°F | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.8" | 30.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 11.5" ✓ Less | 26.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,695 | 290,531 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.5 ✓ Older | 33.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.7% | 22.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 19.6% ✓ More | 14.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Asheville's cost of living index is 96.1 vs Lincoln's 92.0 (US average = 100).
Lincoln is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lincoln leads 14 of 23 categories. Asheville wins 9 and Lincoln wins 14. 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 Asheville to Lincoln or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($376,800 vs $230,400 median home), income ($63,810 vs $67,846), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Asheville, NC and Lincoln, NE are about 847 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.