Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Rutland?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $34,000 in Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Rutland?

Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Lincoln vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Rutland, VT. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rutland, VT, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $69,991 in Lincoln, NE and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 21% higher in Lincoln, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Lincoln, NE

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$851

$893

+5% in Rutland, VT

1 Bedroom

$879

$856

+3% in Lincoln, NE

2 Bedroom

$1,070

$1,097

+3% in Rutland, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,379

$1,207

+12% in Lincoln, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,200

$176,400

+29% in Lincoln, NE

Income

Median Household Income

$69,991

$55,000

+21% in Lincoln, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,800

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.4 yr

48.5 yr

+15.1 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

55.8%

52.7%

+3.1 pp in Lincoln, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.0%

32.2%

+8.8 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

18.3 min

14.7 min

+3.6 min in Lincoln, NE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

363.1

487.8

+34% in Rutland, VT

Property Crime

2,484.4

3,973.3

+60% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+6.9°F in Lincoln, NE

Annual Precipitation

30.9 in

40.5 in

+9.6 in in Rutland, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Rutland, VT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.3

24.4

+84% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.10

$26.07

+30% in Rutland, VT

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 Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / VT)

5.5%

+0.5 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

8.75%

+4.2 pp in VT

Lincoln vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Rutland?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lincoln than in Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Rutland?: Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).