Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lincoln, NE
VS
Wilmington, NC
🏆 Lincoln leads 13 of 22 categories
Lincoln
Nebraska
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,846 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
290,531 ✓ Larger
Wilmington
North Carolina
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.1
Median Household Income
$58,908
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High
Population
116,933
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lincoln, NE
Pros
Homes cost $88k less ($230,400 vs $318,600)
28% less violent crime than Wilmington
Rent averages $215/mo less ($998 vs $1,213)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (3.3%)
Households earn $8,938 more per year on average
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.0)
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Wilmington, NC
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 36°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $318,600
Violent crime (482.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Lincoln by $8,938/yr
Property crime (3514.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Lincoln
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 92.0 vs 97.1 (100 = US avg)
Lincoln
Median Income
$8,938
$67,846 vs $58,908/yr
Lincoln
Violent Crime
28% lower
347.9 vs 482.8 per 100k
Lincoln
Median Home Value
$88k less
$230,400 vs $318,600
Lincoln
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
3.3% vs 4.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wilmington, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.0 ✓ Cheaper | 97.1 |
| Median Home Value | $230,400 ✓ Lower | $318,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $998 ✓ Lower | $1,213 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,846 ✓ Higher | $58,908 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% ✓ Lower | 4.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min | 18.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.9% | 14.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 127⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 167⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (106) | B+ (109) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.9% | 43.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% | 93.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | New Hanover County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.6°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.4°F | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 30.9" ✓ Drier | 60.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 26.0" | 0.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,531 ✓ Larger | 116,933 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% ✓ Higher | 45.9% |
| Under 18 | 22.0% ✓ More | 16.8% |
| Over 65 | 14.0% | 17.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lincoln's cost of living index is 92.0 vs Wilmington's 97.1 (US average = 100).
Lincoln is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Lincoln leads 13 of 22 categories. Lincoln wins 13 and Wilmington wins 9. 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 Wilmington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($230,400 vs $318,600 median home), income ($67,846 vs $58,908), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lincoln, NE and Wilmington, NC are about 1,123 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.