Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Greeley, CO
VS
Lincoln, NE
🏆 Lincoln leads 18 of 23 categories
Greeley
Colorado
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.0
Median Household Income
$65,525
Violent Crime Index
177⚠ High
Population
107,949
Lincoln
Nebraska
18
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.
Greeley, CO
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 44°F vs 36°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $346,400
Violent crime (670.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3019.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 3.3%)
Lincoln, NE
Pros
Homes cost $116k less ($230,400 vs $346,400)
48% less violent crime than Greeley
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (3.3%)
Rent averages $210/mo less ($998 vs $1,208)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 40.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Key Differences at a Glance
Lincoln
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 92.0 vs 96.0 (100 = US avg)
Lincoln
Median Income
$2,321
$67,846 vs $65,525/yr
Lincoln
Violent Crime
48% lower
347.9 vs 670.7 per 100k
Lincoln
Median Home Value
$116k less
$230,400 vs $346,400
Lincoln
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
3.3% vs 5.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Greeley, CO | Lincoln, NE |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.0 | 92.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $346,400⚠ High | $230,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,208 | $998 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,525 | $67,846 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 3.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.9 min | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 8.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 163⚠ High | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 177⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 144⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.5:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.8% | 40.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 92.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | GreeleySchool District No. 6 in the county of Weld and Sta | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 44.1°F ✓ Warmer | 35.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.7°F ✓ Warmer | 89.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.4" ✓ Drier | 30.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 34.9" | 26.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 107,949 | 290,531 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% ✓ Higher | 56.3% |
| Under 18 | 24.1% ✓ More | 22.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.1% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Greeley's cost of living index is 96.0 vs Lincoln's 92.0 (US average = 100).
Lincoln is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lincoln leads 18 of 23 categories. Greeley wins 5 and Lincoln wins 18. 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 Greeley to Lincoln or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($346,400 vs $230,400 median home), income ($65,525 vs $67,846), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Greeley, CO and Lincoln, NE are about 425 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.