CostIndexUSA

Lancaster, PA vs Lincoln, NE Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
More AffordableNE
Lincoln
91.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Lincoln is moderately cheaper than Lancaster — 6.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lancaster, you would need $74,500 in Lincoln. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing10.2%
Lancaster
93.8
Lincoln
84.2
🛒 Groceries6.6%
Lancaster
100.7
Lincoln
94.1
🚗 Transportation4.9%
Lancaster
102.6
Lincoln
97.6
🏥 Healthcare4.8%
Lancaster
92.8
Lincoln
88.3
Utilities28.4%
Lancaster
107.3
Lincoln
76.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lincoln, NE
$74,500
$5,500 less needed in Lincoln

Formula: salary × (91.6 ÷ 98.3) = salary × 0.9318. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Lincoln, NE

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

Lancaster has 10.2% lower housing costs compared to Lincoln.

Income & Job Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

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).

Lancaster, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.