Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Meridian?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Meridian?

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

Lincoln vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,030 in Lincoln, NE versus $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,991 in Lincoln, NE and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 29% higher in Meridian, ID. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Lincoln, NE

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$851

$1,523

+79% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$879

$1,540

+75% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,070

$1,489

+39% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,379

$1,893

+37% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,200

$485,000

+95% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$69,991

$98,686

+41% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,800

$49,100

+1% in Lincoln, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.4 yr

37.4 yr

+4.0 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

55.8%

76.1%

+20.3 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.0%

44.4%

+3.4 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

18.3 min

22.3 min

+4.0 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

363.1

150.3

+59% in Lincoln, NE

Property Crime

2,484.4

583.5

+77% 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

51.5°F

52.5°F

+1.0°F in Meridian, ID

Annual Precipitation

30.9 in

11.7 in

+19.1 in in Lincoln, NE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Meridian, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.3

14.4

+8% in Meridian, ID

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.10

$11.33

+44% in Lincoln, NE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Lincoln, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / ID)

5.5%

+0.5 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

5.30%

+0.8 pp in ID

Lincoln vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Meridian?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lincoln than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Meridian?: Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).