Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lincoln, NE
VS
Renton, WA
🏆 Lincoln leads 17 of 23 categories
Lincoln
Nebraska
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,846
Violent Crime Index
92
Population
290,531 ✓ Larger
Renton
Washington
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
89 ✓ Safer
Population
105,355
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lincoln, NE
Pros
Homes cost $346k less ($230,400 vs $576,800)
Rent averages $866/mo less ($998 vs $1,864)
21% cheaper overall cost of living than Renton
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (3.3%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.0)
Cons
Median income trails Renton by $24,446/yr
Renton, WA
Pros
Households earn $24,446 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 36°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 89°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $576,800
Higher rents — median is $1,864/mo
Cost of living runs 21% higher than Lincoln
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lincoln
Cost of Living
21% cheaper
COL index 92.0 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Lincoln
Median Home Value
$346k less
$230,400 vs $576,800
Lincoln
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
3.3% vs 4.2% unemployment
Lincoln
Summer Heat
12.2°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 77.2°F
Renton
Median Income
$24,446
$92,292 vs $67,846/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Renton, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.0 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $230,400 ✓ Lower | $576,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $998 ✓ Lower | $1,864⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,846 | $92,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% ✓ Lower | 4.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 30.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.9% | 16.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer | 117⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 158⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (106) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.9% ✓ Higher | 36.9% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 89.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Renton School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.6°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer | 77.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 30.9" ✓ Drier | 44.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 26.0" | 6.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,531 ✓ Larger | 105,355 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 36.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% ✓ Higher | 53.6% |
| Under 18 | 22.0% ✓ More | 20.6% |
| Over 65 | 14.0% ✓ More | 12.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lincoln's cost of living index is 92.0 vs Renton's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Lincoln is 21% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lincoln leads 17 of 23 categories. Lincoln wins 17 and Renton wins 6. 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 Renton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($230,400 vs $576,800 median home), income ($67,846 vs $92,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lincoln, NE and Renton, WA are about 1,339 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.