Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Tampa?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $53,000 in Tampa.

Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Tampa?

Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Lincoln vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/mo est.

Tampa

Florida

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tampa, FL. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,991 in Lincoln, NE and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 2% higher in Tampa, FL. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Lincoln, NE

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

$851

$1,242

+46% in Tampa, FL

1 Bedroom

$879

$1,324

+51% in Tampa, FL

2 Bedroom

$1,070

$1,673

+56% in Tampa, FL

3 Bedroom

$1,379

$1,729

+25% in Tampa, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,200

$375,300

+51% in Tampa, FL

Income

Median Household Income

$69,991

$71,302

+2% in Tampa, FL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,800

$48,940

+2% in Lincoln, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.4 yr

35.6 yr

+2.2 yr in Tampa, FL

Homeownership

55.8%

50.2%

+5.6 pp in Lincoln, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.0%

44.6%

+3.6 pp in Tampa, FL

Avg Commute

18.3 min

24.7 min

+6.4 min in Tampa, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

363.1

443.2

+22% in Tampa, FL

Property Crime

2,484.4

1,473.2

+41% 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

73.4°F

+21.9°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

30.9 in

46.3 in

+15.4 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.77/gal

+4% in Lincoln, NE

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs HART (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

15.2

+12% in Tampa, FL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$23.62

+52% in Tampa, FL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Lincoln, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Tampa, FL

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Lincoln, NE

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Lincoln, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / FL)

5.5%

+0.5 pp in FL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

None

+4.5 pp in NE

Lincoln vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Tampa?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lincoln than in Tampa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $53,000 in Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Tampa?: Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax 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).