CostIndexUSA

Irvine, CA vs Lincoln, NE Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Irvine
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableNE
Lincoln
91.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Lincoln is significantly cheaper than Irvine — 19.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Irvine, you would need $64,500 in Lincoln. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing50.6%
Irvine
170.4
Lincoln
84.2
🛒 Groceries11.7%
Irvine
106.6
Lincoln
94.1
🚗 Transportation10.9%
Irvine
109.6
Lincoln
97.6
🏥 Healthcare10.9%
Irvine
99.1
Lincoln
88.3
Utilities51.6%
Irvine
158.6
Lincoln
76.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Irvine to see what you'd need to earn in Lincoln to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Lincoln, NE
$64,500
$15,500 less needed in Lincoln

Formula: salary × (91.6 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8063. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Irvine, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Lincoln, NE

Median Home Price
$289,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
84.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9×

Irvine has 50.6% lower housing costs compared to Lincoln.

Income & Job Market

Irvine, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
307,670
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationReal Estate

Lincoln, NE

Median Household Income
$71,200
Per Capita Income
$40,600
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Population
289,102
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentFinanceManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Irvine, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Lincoln, NE
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.