Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lincoln, NE
VS
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
🏆 Rancho Cucamonga leads 12 of 23 categories
Lincoln
Nebraska
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,846
Violent Crime Index
92
Population
290,531 ✓ Larger
Rancho Cucamonga
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,534 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
174,696
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lincoln, NE
Pros
Homes cost $427k less ($230,400 vs $657,400)
Rent averages $1186/mo less ($998 vs $2,184)
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (3.3%)
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Rancho Cucamonga
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.0)
Cons
Median income trails Rancho Cucamonga by $37,688/yr
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Pros
Households earn $37,688 more per year on average
16% less violent crime than Lincoln
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 36°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $657,400
Higher rents — median is $2,184/mo
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Lincoln
Higher unemployment (5.4% vs 3.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lincoln
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 92.0 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Lincoln
Median Home Value
$427k less
$230,400 vs $657,400
Lincoln
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.3% vs 5.4% unemployment
Rancho Cucamonga
Median Income
$37,688
$105,534 vs $67,846/yr
Rancho Cucamonga
Violent Crime
16% lower
293.7 vs 347.9 per 100k
Rancho Cucamonga
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 93.8°F vs 89.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rancho Cucamonga, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.0 ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $230,400 ✓ Lower | $657,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $998 ✓ Lower | $2,184⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,846 | $105,534 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% ✓ Lower | 5.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.9% | 10.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 102⚠ High | 81 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | 77 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High | 86 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (106) ✓ Better | C+ (83) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 25.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.9% ✓ Higher | 37.0% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 91.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Alta Loma Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.6°F | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.4°F | 93.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 30.9" | 17.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 26.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,531 ✓ Larger | 174,696 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 37.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 63.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.0% | 22.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.0% ✓ More | 13.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lincoln's cost of living index is 92.0 vs Rancho Cucamonga's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Lincoln is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Rancho Cucamonga leads 12 of 23 categories. Lincoln wins 11 and Rancho Cucamonga wins 12. 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 Rancho Cucamonga or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($230,400 vs $657,400 median home), income ($67,846 vs $105,534), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lincoln, NE and Rancho Cucamonga, CA are about 1,231 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.