Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lincoln, NE
VS
Sacramento, CA
🏆 Lincoln leads 14 of 22 categories
Lincoln
Nebraska
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,846
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
290,531
Sacramento
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,954 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
199⚠ High
Population
523,600 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lincoln, NE
Pros
Homes cost $220k less ($230,400 vs $450,500)
Rent averages $594/mo less ($998 vs $1,592)
54% less violent crime than Sacramento
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.0 pts lower (3.3%)
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Sacramento
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Sacramento by $11,108/yr
Sacramento, CA
Pros
Households earn $11,108 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 36°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $450,500
Higher rents — median is $1,592/mo
Violent crime (754.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Lincoln
Key Differences at a Glance
Lincoln
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 92.0 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Lincoln
Violent Crime
54% lower
347.9 vs 754.9 per 100k
Lincoln
Median Home Value
$220k less
$230,400 vs $450,500
Lincoln
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
3.3% vs 6.3% unemployment
Sacramento
Median Income
$11,108
$78,954 vs $67,846/yr
Sacramento
Summer Heat
5.0°F warmer
July avg high 94.4°F vs 89.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.0 ✓ Cheaper | 108.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $230,400 ✓ Lower | $450,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $998 ✓ Lower | $1,592⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,846 | $78,954 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% ✓ Lower | 6.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 25.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.9% | 15.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer | 168⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 121⚠ 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 | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.9% ✓ Higher | 35.8% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 86.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Sacramento City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.6°F | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.4°F | 94.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 30.9" | 20.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 26.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,531 | 523,600 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 35.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% ✓ Higher | 50.7% |
| Under 18 | 22.0% | 22.0% |
| Over 65 | 14.0% ✓ More | 13.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lincoln's cost of living index is 92.0 vs Sacramento's 108.9 (US average = 100).
Lincoln is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Lincoln leads 14 of 22 categories. Lincoln wins 14 and Sacramento wins 8. 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 Sacramento or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($230,400 vs $450,500 median home), income ($67,846 vs $78,954), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lincoln, NE and Sacramento, CA are about 1,323 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.