Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Lincoln?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Lincoln?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $35,000 in Lincoln.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Lincoln?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Boise vs Lincoln Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 14% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$851

+17% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$879

+22% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,070

+20% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,379

+21% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$248,200

+46% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$69,991

+14% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$49,800

+1% in Lincoln, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

33.4 yr

+4.8 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

55.8%

+7.2 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

41.0%

+5.6 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

18.3 min

+0.8 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

363.1

+21% in Lincoln, NE

Property Crime

1,135.1

2,484.4

+119% in Lincoln, NE

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

51.5°F

+1.0°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

30.9 in

+19.1 in in Lincoln, NE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

13.6

+10% in Lincoln, NE

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$15.53

+44% in Lincoln, NE

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Lincoln, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

Average prices — West vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / NE)

5.5%

+0.5 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

4.55%

+0.8 pp in ID

Boise vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Lincoln?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Lincoln?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $35,000 in Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Lincoln?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).