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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Lincoln

Nebraska
77

San Jose is 230% more expensive than Lincoln.

$2,617/mo ↑ 150%
Median Rent
$1,045/mo ↓ 60%
$141,565/yr ↑ 102%
Median Income
$69,991/yr ↓ 51%
$1,187,800 ↑ 379%
Home Value
$248,200 ↓ 79%
$2,775/mo ↑ 143%
Owner Costs
$1,140/mo ↓ 59%
990,054
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

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Lincoln, NE, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,572/month cheaper in Lincoln, saving renters about $18,864/year.

Median household income is $71,574/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $248,200 in Lincoln.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Lincoln — common questions

Is San Jose or Lincoln cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lincoln is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Lincoln?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Lincoln it's $1,045/month — a difference of $1,572/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Lincoln?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $69,991 in Lincoln. Median household income is $71,574/year higher in San Jose.
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 San Jose or Lincoln?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 San Jose details → View Lincoln details →

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