Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lincoln, NE
VS
Santa Rosa, 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
Population
290,531 ✓ Larger
Santa Rosa
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
110.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,604 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
90 ✓ Safer
Population
178,221
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lincoln, NE
Pros
Homes cost $431k less ($230,400 vs $661,700)
Rent averages $1026/mo less ($998 vs $2,024)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (3.3%)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Rosa
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 40.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Santa Rosa by $24,758/yr
Santa Rosa, CA
Pros
Households earn $24,758 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 36°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 89°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $661,700
Higher rents — median is $2,024/mo
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Lincoln
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 110.1)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lincoln
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 92.0 vs 110.1 (100 = US avg)
Lincoln
Median Home Value
$431k less
$230,400 vs $661,700
Lincoln
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
3.3% vs 5.6% unemployment
Lincoln
Summer Heat
7.8°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 81.6°F
Santa Rosa
Median Income
$24,758
$92,604 vs $67,846/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Santa Rosa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.0 ✓ Cheaper | 110.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $230,400 ✓ Lower | $661,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $998 ✓ Lower | $2,024⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,846 | $92,604 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter | 22.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.9% | 8.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 102⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | 90 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (106) ✓ Better | B- (90) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.9% ✓ Higher | 34.7% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Rincon Valley Union Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.6°F | 59.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer | 81.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 30.9" ✓ Drier | 31.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 26.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,531 ✓ Larger | 178,221 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 40.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% ✓ Higher | 55.7% |
| Under 18 | 22.0% ✓ More | 20.5% |
| Over 65 | 14.0% | 18.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lincoln's cost of living index is 92.0 vs Santa Rosa's 110.1 (US average = 100).
Lincoln is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Lincoln leads 14 of 22 categories. Lincoln wins 14 and Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($230,400 vs $661,700 median home), income ($67,846 vs $92,604), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lincoln, NE and Santa Rosa, CA are about 1,390 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.