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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Lincoln

Nebraska
77

Sacramento is 71% more expensive than Lincoln.

$1,694/mo ↑ 62%
Median Rent
$1,045/mo ↓ 38%
$83,753/yr ↑ 20%
Median Income
$69,991/yr ↓ 16%
$484,600 ↑ 95%
Home Value
$248,200 ↓ 49%
$1,752/mo ↑ 54%
Owner Costs
$1,140/mo ↓ 35%
524,802
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

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Lincoln, NE, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $649/month cheaper in Lincoln, saving renters about $7,788/year.

Median household income is $13,762/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $248,200 in Lincoln.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Lincoln — common questions

Is Sacramento or Lincoln cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lincoln is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Lincoln?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Lincoln it's $1,045/month — a difference of $649/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Lincoln?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $69,991 in Lincoln. Median household income is $13,762/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento or Lincoln?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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 Sacramento details → View Lincoln details →

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