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The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

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LincolnvsChicago

Moving from Lincoln to Chicago will cost approximately $223,038 more on median home prices (73.8% higher). Monthly rent is $929 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 2.7% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
73.8% more
Rent
73.8% more
View LincolnView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Lincoln, NE

Median Home Price$302,236
Monthly Rent$1,259
Median Income$71,280
Population277,346
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+73.8%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+73.8%
Median Income
$73,194+2.7%
Population2,720,556
Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Lincoln

2015N/A
2020$945
2025$1,259

Chicago

2015$1,513
2020$1,592
2025$2,189

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Chicago.

Lincoln

Housing$7,105
Food$5,838
Transport$13,702
Healthcare$14,195
Total$39,812

Chicago

Housing$7,516
Food$5,442
Transport$13,003
Healthcare$12,465
Total$50,964
Costs

Key Insights

73.8%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$929
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
2.7%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Lincoln

Population277,346
Median Age32.3 yrs
Violent Crime Rate297 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1819 per 100k

Chicago

Population2,720,556
Median Age34.2 yrs
Violent Crime Rate345 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1393 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Lincoln

297
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1819
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Chicago

345
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1393
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Lincoln?

Lincoln is 73.8% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Lincoln is $302,236 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Lincoln and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Lincoln averages $1,259. That's a difference of $929 per month, or $11,152 annually.

How do incomes compare between Lincoln and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 2.7% higher than Lincoln's median of $71,280.

Which city is safer: Lincoln or Chicago?

Lincoln has a violent crime rate of 297 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Lincoln is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.