Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Lincoln?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Dover, DE's $1,270, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $35,000 in Lincoln.

Which has lower taxes, Dover or Lincoln?

Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Dover vs Lincoln Cost of Living 2026

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Dover, DE versus $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Dover, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,336 in Dover, DE and $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 17% higher in Lincoln, NE. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Dover, DE

Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio

$993

$851

+14% in Dover, DE

1 Bedroom

$1,047

$879

+16% in Dover, DE

2 Bedroom

$1,185

$1,070

+10% in Dover, DE

3 Bedroom

$1,634

$1,379

+16% in Dover, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,500

$248,200

+0% in Dover, DE

Income

Median Household Income

$58,336

$69,991

+20% in Lincoln, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,690

$49,800

+7% in Lincoln, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

33.4 yr

+1.7 yr in Dover, DE

Homeownership

47.0%

55.8%

+8.8 pp in Lincoln, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.1%

41.0%

+13.9 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

24.0 min

18.3 min

+5.7 min in Dover, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,025.3

363.1

+65% in Dover, DE

Property Crime

6,159.1

2,484.4

+60% in Dover, DE

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

56.9°F

51.5°F

+5.4°F in Dover, DE

Annual Precipitation

46.0 in

30.9 in

+15.2 in in Dover, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Dover, DE

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.3

13.3

+31% in Dover, DE

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.73

$20.10

+32% in Dover, DE

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 Dover, DE

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 (DE / NE)

None

5.5%

+5.5 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

6.60%

4.55%

+2.0 pp in DE

Dover vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Lincoln?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Dover, DE's $1,270, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Dover than in Lincoln?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $35,000 in Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Dover or Lincoln?: Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).