Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Spokane?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Spokane?

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

Lincoln vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,991 in Lincoln, NE and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 6% higher in Lincoln, NE. 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

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$851

$884

+4% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$879

$903

+3% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,070

$1,192

+11% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,379

$1,442

+5% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,200

$326,200

+31% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$69,991

$65,745

+6% in Lincoln, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,800

$54,660

+10% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.4 yr

37.2 yr

+3.8 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

55.8%

58.3%

+2.5 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.0%

32.6%

+8.4 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

18.3 min

21.2 min

+2.9 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

363.1

683.6

+88% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

2,484.4

4,931.8

+99% in Spokane, 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

48.9°F

+2.6°F in Lincoln, NE

Annual Precipitation

30.9 in

17.8 in

+13.1 in in Lincoln, NE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Spokane, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

14.9

+10% in Spokane, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$20.41

+31% in Spokane, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Lincoln, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, 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 Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Spokane?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lincoln than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Spokane?: Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Spokane 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).