Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lincoln, NE
VS
Norwalk, CT
🏆 Lincoln leads 12 of 23 categories
Lincoln
Nebraska
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,846
Violent Crime Index
92
Population
290,531 ✓ Larger
Norwalk
Connecticut
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,879 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
22 ✓ Safer
Population
91,050
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lincoln, NE
Pros
Homes cost $261k less ($230,400 vs $491,800)
Rent averages $863/mo less ($998 vs $1,861)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (3.3%)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Norwalk
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.0)
Cons
Median income trails Norwalk by $30,033/yr
Norwalk, CT
Pros
76% less violent crime than Lincoln
Households earn $30,033 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (85.0 vs 380/100k)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $491,800
Higher rents — median is $1,861/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Lincoln
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 3.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lincoln
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 92.0 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Lincoln
Median Home Value
$261k less
$230,400 vs $491,800
Lincoln
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
3.3% vs 5.9% unemployment
Lincoln
Summer Heat
4.6°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 84.8°F
Norwalk
Median Income
$30,033
$97,879 vs $67,846/yr
Norwalk
Violent Crime
76% lower
85.0 vs 347.9 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Norwalk, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.0 ✓ Cheaper | 106.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $230,400 ✓ Lower | $491,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $998 ✓ Lower | $1,861⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,846 | $97,879 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 27.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.9% | 11.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 102⚠ High | 42 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | 22 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High | 72 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (106) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 | 12.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.9% | 42.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 88.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Norwalk School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.6°F | 38.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer | 84.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 30.9" ✓ Drier | 51.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 26.0" ✓ Less | 34.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,531 ✓ Larger | 91,050 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 40.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% ✓ Higher | 54.8% |
| Under 18 | 22.0% ✓ More | 19.4% |
| Over 65 | 14.0% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lincoln's cost of living index is 92.0 vs Norwalk's 106.5 (US average = 100).
Lincoln is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lincoln leads 12 of 23 categories. Lincoln wins 12 and Norwalk wins 11. 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 Norwalk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($230,400 vs $491,800 median home), income ($67,846 vs $97,879), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lincoln, NE and Norwalk, CT are about 1,210 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.