Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lincoln, NE
VS
Nashua, NH
🏆 Lincoln leads 14 of 23 categories
Lincoln
Nebraska
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,846
Violent Crime Index
92
Population
290,531 ✓ Larger
Nashua
New Hampshire
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$88,766 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
42 ✓ Safer
Population
90,943
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lincoln, NE
Pros
Rent averages $599/mo less ($998 vs $1,597)
Homes cost $115k less ($230,400 vs $344,900)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (3.3%)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Nashua
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.0)
Cons
Median income trails Nashua by $20,920/yr
Nashua, NH
Pros
54% less violent crime than Lincoln
Households earn $20,920 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (160.5 vs 380/100k)
Smaller class sizes — 12.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,597/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $344,900
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Lincoln
Higher unemployment (5.1% vs 3.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lincoln
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 92.0 vs 106.1 (100 = US avg)
Lincoln
Median Home Value
$115k less
$230,400 vs $344,900
Lincoln
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
3.3% vs 5.1% unemployment
Lincoln
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 84.7°F
Nashua
Median Income
$20,920
$88,766 vs $67,846/yr
Nashua
Violent Crime
54% lower
160.5 vs 347.9 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Nashua, NH |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.0 ✓ Cheaper | 106.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $230,400 ✓ Lower | $344,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $998 ✓ Lower | $1,597⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,846 | $88,766 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% ✓ Lower | 5.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 24.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.9% | 12.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 102⚠ High | 49 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | 42 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (106) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.9% ✓ Higher | 40.4% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 92.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Nashua School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.6°F ✓ Warmer | 34.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer | 84.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 30.9" ✓ Drier | 46.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 26.0" ✓ Less | 52.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,531 ✓ Larger | 90,943 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% ✓ Higher | 55.5% |
| Under 18 | 22.0% ✓ More | 18.8% |
| Over 65 | 14.0% | 16.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lincoln's cost of living index is 92.0 vs Nashua's 106.1 (US average = 100).
Lincoln is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lincoln leads 14 of 23 categories. Lincoln wins 14 and Nashua 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 Lincoln to Nashua or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($230,400 vs $344,900 median home), income ($67,846 vs $88,766), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lincoln, NE and Nashua, NH are about 1,300 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.