Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Lincoln, NE (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Lincoln

Nebraska
77

Irvine is 232% more expensive than Lincoln.

$2,893/mo ↑ 177%
Median Rent
$1,045/mo ↓ 64%
$129,647/yr ↑ 85%
Median Income
$69,991/yr ↓ 46%
$1,115,400 ↑ 349%
Home Value
$248,200 ↓ 78%
$2,904/mo ↑ 155%
Owner Costs
$1,140/mo ↓ 61%
308,160
Population
291,932

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
6.64%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.73%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Lincoln, NE, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,848/month cheaper in Lincoln, saving renters about $22,176/year.

Median household income is $59,656/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $248,200 in Lincoln.

Nebraska has a lower income tax rate, making Lincoln slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Lincoln — common questions

Is Irvine or Lincoln cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lincoln is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Lincoln?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Lincoln it's $1,045/month — a difference of $1,848/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Lincoln?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $69,991 in Lincoln. Median household income is $59,656/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Nebraska?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Nebraska has 6.64% income tax, 5.5% sales tax, and 1.73% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Lincoln?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Lincoln has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,045/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Lincoln details →

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