Performance
Score Breakdown
Lincoln
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
422% higher compared to Lincoln.
| Metric | Lincoln | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,363 | $1,410 | -3% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $260 | $178 | +46% |
| Transport | $1,200 | $120 | +900% |
| Healthcare | $9,572 | $250 | +3729% |
| Monthly Total | $12,795 | $2,451 | +422% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lincoln is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Lincoln | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,867 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,454 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $71,867 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Lincoln | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lincoln has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
For walkability, Lincoln leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lincoln | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lincoln | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,375 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.61% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $150.9B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lincoln
Advantages
Lincoln's cost of living is approximately 6% lower than the national average, driven by more affordable housing and utilities.
The city boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.6% as of May 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
Lincoln has a shorter average commute time of 19.5 minutes, saving residents time compared to the national average.
The city is recognized for its exceptional public safety, with Part 1 crime reaching a 25-year low in 2025.
Over 40% of adults in Lincoln have a bachelor's degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Drawbacks
While overall cost of living is lower, healthcare costs in Lincoln are about 3% higher than the U.S. average.
Lincoln's employment and wage growth rates have been nearly identical to Omaha's, which have been slower than comparable cities.
Public transportation options, while affordable, have a limited reach around the city.
The state of Nebraska, including Lincoln, has experienced low population and labor force growth due to people relocating to other states.
Some goods and services in Lincoln are approximately 4% pricier than the national average.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Lincoln
#21Nebraska, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,363
Avg Salary
$71,867
Cost Index
94
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.61%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
Cincinnati
#50Ohio, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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