Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Lincoln?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Columbus, GA's $1,080, mainly because of natural gas costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Lincoln?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Lincoln Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Columbus, GA versus $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, GA, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 19% higher in Lincoln, NE. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio

$826

$851

+3% in Lincoln, NE

1 Bedroom

$875

$879

+0% in Lincoln, NE

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,070

+8% in Lincoln, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,379

+13% in Lincoln, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$248,200

+36% in Lincoln, NE

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$69,991

+24% in Lincoln, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$49,800

+14% in Lincoln, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

33.4 yr

+1.7 yr in Columbus, GA

Homeownership

50.2%

55.8%

+5.6 pp in Lincoln, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

41.0%

+11.3 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

20.2 min

18.3 min

+1.9 min in Columbus, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

363.1

+41% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

2,484.4

+9% 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

65.7°F

51.5°F

+14.2°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

30.9 in

+15.9 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Lincoln, NE

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

13.6

+14% in Columbus, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$15.53

+53% in Columbus, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Lincoln, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Columbus, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Lincoln, NE

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Lincoln, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NE)

5.5%

+1.5 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

4.55%

+0.6 pp in GA

Columbus vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Lincoln?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Columbus, GA's $1,080, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Lincoln?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $35,000 in Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Lincoln?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).