CostIndexUSA

Joplin, MO vs Lincoln, NE Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
NE
Lincoln
91.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Joplin is moderately cheaper than Lincoln — 6.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Joplin, you would need $85,500 in Lincoln. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+55.9%
Joplin
54
Lincoln
84.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Joplin
94.2
Lincoln
94.1
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Joplin
97.7
Lincoln
97.6
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Joplin
88.4
Lincoln
88.3
Utilities10.6%
Joplin
85.9
Lincoln
76.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lincoln, NE
$85,500
$5,500 more needed in Lincoln

Formula: salary × (91.6 ÷ 85.7) = salary × 1.0688. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Joplin, MO

Median Home Price
$216,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
54
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4×

Lincoln, NE

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

Lincoln has 55.9% higher housing costs compared to Joplin.

Income & Job Market

Joplin, MO

Median Household Income
$57,900
Per Capita Income
$33,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
50,843
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

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).

Joplin, MO
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.