Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Newark?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Newark?

Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Lincoln vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/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 $1,210 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,991 in Lincoln, NE and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 31% higher in Lincoln, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Lincoln, NE

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$851

$1,111

+31% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$879

$978

+11% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,070

$1,386

+30% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,379

$1,695

+23% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,200

$337,800

+36% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$69,991

$48,416

+31% in Lincoln, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,800

$61,430

+23% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.4 yr

34.8 yr

+1.4 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

55.8%

24.1%

+31.7 pp in Lincoln, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.0%

17.4%

+23.6 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

18.3 min

33.2 min

+14.9 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

363.1

582.5

+60% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

2,484.4

1,961.8

+21% 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

54.9°F

+3.4°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

30.9 in

46.3 in

+15.4 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.86/gal

+2% in Lincoln, NE

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

23.3

+71% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$15.93

+3% in Newark, NJ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / NJ)

5.5%

6.625%

+1.1 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

10.75%

+6.2 pp in NJ

Lincoln vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Newark?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lincoln than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Newark?: Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).