Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Worcester?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $41,000 in Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Worcester?

Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Lincoln vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/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 $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Worcester, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,991 in Lincoln, NE and $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 3% higher in Lincoln, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Lincoln, NE

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$851

$1,087

+28% in Worcester, MA

1 Bedroom

$879

$1,028

+17% in Worcester, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,070

$1,476

+38% in Worcester, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,379

$1,675

+21% in Worcester, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,200

$339,500

+37% in Worcester, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$69,991

$67,544

+3% in Lincoln, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,800

$57,830

+16% in Worcester, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.4 yr

34.1 yr

+0.7 yr in Worcester, MA

Homeownership

55.8%

42.4%

+13.4 pp in Lincoln, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.0%

34.1%

+6.9 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

18.3 min

25.1 min

+6.8 min in Worcester, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

363.1

640.2

+76% in Worcester, MA

Property Crime

2,484.4

1,580.3

+36% 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

47.9°F

+3.6°F in Lincoln, NE

Annual Precipitation

30.9 in

48.1 in

+17.2 in in Worcester, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.07/gal

+6% in Worcester, MA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.3

29.6

+123% in Worcester, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.10

$30.66

+53% in Worcester, MA

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 Worcester, MA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Worcester, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Worcester, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Worcester, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / MA)

5.5%

6.25%

+0.8 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

9.00%

+4.5 pp in MA

Lincoln vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Worcester?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lincoln than in Worcester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $41,000 in Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Worcester?: Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).