Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Austin, TX
VS
Lincoln, NE
🏆 Lincoln leads 14 of 23 categories
Austin
Texas
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6
Median Household Income
$86,556 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
123⚠ High
Population
958,202 ✓ Larger
Lincoln
Nebraska
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,846
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
290,531
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Austin, TX
Pros
Households earn $18,710 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 36°F
More college-educated — 56.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $461,500
Higher rents — median is $1,549/mo
Violent crime (466.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3241.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Lincoln, NE
Pros
Homes cost $231k less ($230,400 vs $461,500)
Rent averages $551/mo less ($998 vs $1,549)
25% less violent crime than Austin
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (3.3%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.0)
Cons
Median income trails Austin by $18,710/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Austin
Median Income
$18,710
$86,556 vs $67,846/yr
Austin
Summer Heat
7.2°F warmer
July avg high 96.6°F vs 89.4°F
Lincoln
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 92.0 vs 97.6 (100 = US avg)
Lincoln
Violent Crime
25% lower
347.9 vs 466.9 per 100k
Lincoln
Median Home Value
$231k less
$230,400 vs $461,500
Lincoln
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
3.3% vs 4.4% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lincoln, NE |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.6 | 92.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $461,500⚠ High | $230,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,549⚠ High | $998 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $86,556 ✓ Higher | $67,846 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4%⚠ High | 3.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.1 min | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 22.9% ✓ Higher | 8.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 123⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 154⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A+ (133) ✓ Better | B+ (106) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.0:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 56.5% ✓ Higher | 40.9% |
| High School or Higher | 91.1% | 92.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | AUSTIN ISD | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.5°F ✓ Warmer | 35.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.6°F ✓ Warmer | 89.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" | 30.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 26.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 958,202 ✓ Larger | 290,531 |
| Median Age | 34.2 ✓ Older | 33.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 22.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 9.8% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Austin's cost of living index is 97.6 vs Lincoln's 92.0 (US average = 100).
Lincoln is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lincoln leads 14 of 23 categories. Austin 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 Austin to Lincoln or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($461,500 vs $230,400 median home), income ($86,556 vs $67,846), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Austin, TX and Lincoln, NE are about 729 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.