Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Seattle?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 49% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Seattle?

Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Lincoln vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/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 $2,030 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 49% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,991 in Lincoln, NE and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 43% higher in Seattle, WA. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Lincoln, NE

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$851

$1,638

+92% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$879

$1,858

+111% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,070

$2,359

+120% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,379

$2,918

+112% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,200

$912,100

+267% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$69,991

$121,984

+74% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,800

$72,610

+46% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.4 yr

35.5 yr

+2.1 yr in Seattle, WA

Homeownership

55.8%

44.2%

+11.6 pp in Lincoln, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.0%

67.5%

+26.5 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

18.3 min

26.6 min

+8.3 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

363.1

788.6

+117% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

2,484.4

5,108.8

+106% in Seattle, WA

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

53.5°F

+2.0°F in Seattle, WA

Annual Precipitation

30.9 in

37.7 in

+6.9 in in Seattle, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.31/gal

+35% in Seattle, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs King County Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

14.9

+10% in Seattle, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$20.41

+31% in Seattle, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Lincoln, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / WA)

5.5%

6.5%

+1.0 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

None

+4.5 pp in NE

Lincoln vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Seattle?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 49% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lincoln than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Seattle?: Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).