Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Lincoln?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $35,000 in Lincoln.

Which has lower taxes, Denver or Lincoln?

Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Denver vs Lincoln Cost of Living 2026

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/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 $1,750 in Denver, CO versus $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $91,681 in Denver, CO and $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 24% higher in Denver, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Denver, CO

Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio

$1,497

$851

+43% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,583

$879

+44% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,958

$1,070

+45% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,269

$1,379

+39% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$586,700

$248,200

+58% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$91,681

$69,991

+24% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$49,800

+20% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

33.4 yr

+1.8 yr in Denver, CO

Homeownership

49.1%

55.8%

+6.7 pp in Lincoln, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

55.6%

41.0%

+14.6 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

25.4 min

18.3 min

+7.1 min in Denver, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

999.3

363.1

+64% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

4,781.1

2,484.4

+48% in Denver, CO

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.2°F

51.5°F

+1.3°F in Lincoln, NE

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

30.9 in

+15.3 in in Lincoln, NE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Denver, CO

Area: Denver vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

Adult base one-way fare — RTD vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

13.6

+16% in Denver, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.92

$15.53

+30% in Lincoln, NE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Denver, CO

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Denver, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Denver, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Lincoln, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Denver, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / NE)

2.9%

5.5%

+2.6 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

4.55%

+0.1 pp in NE

Denver vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Lincoln?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in Lincoln?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $35,000 in Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Denver or Lincoln?: Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).