Is Lincoln cheaper than Madison?

Yes. Typical rent in Lincoln is $1,141 a month versus $1,694 in Madison — 33% cheaper. Median household income is $67,846 in Lincoln compared with $74,895 in Madison, so Madison has the stronger local pay picture.

Which city is safer, Lincoln or Madison?

Lincoln is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 70 versus 71 in Madison — 1% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.

Which city has better schools, Lincoln or Madison?

School composites are close: A- in Lincoln and A- in Madison. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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City comparison

Lincoln, NE vs Madison, WI

Lincoln, NE versus Madison, WI is a real move, not a trivia matchup. This comparison uses the same 2026 neighborhood report data we publish on each city page — typical rent, median household income, crime indexes, school composites, and typical weather — so you can see which city actually fits how you live, work, and spend. Typical rents sit near $1,141 a month in Lincoln and $1,694 in Madison, and median household income lands at $67,846 versus $74,895. Open either city's full report when you want the block-level detail behind these headlines.

Lincoln takes affordability and safety, while Madison takes job market and weather. The widest gap is rent, where Lincoln leads by 33% — the kind of spread you feel in a monthly budget or a nightly walk, not just on a chart. Read the category rows as a filter: if cheaper housing would change your life more than a stronger job market, weight rent first. If you are moving with kids, weight schools and crime. If you picked a city after one good weekend, use the weather and income rows to test whether that weekend survives a full year.

Numbers below are citywide, not a guarantee about the street you will actually live on. Two ZIP codes in Lincoln can feel further apart than Lincoln and Madison do on paper. Use this page to pick a city, then use the Lincoln and Madison reports to pick a neighborhood — and visit in the season you like least before you sign anything.

Full Lincoln report Full Madison report

Lincoln, NE

Rent: $1,141/mo
Median income: $67,846
Crime index: 70
Schools: A-
Weather: 79°F

Madison, WI

Rent: $1,694/mo
Median income: $74,895
Crime index: 71
Schools: A-
Weather: 66°F

Rent

33% cheaper

Lincoln rent is 33% cheaper than Madison

Lincoln

Winner

$1,141/mo

Madison

$1,694/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,141 a month in Lincoln versus $1,694 in Madison, so Lincoln is 33% cheaper. That's roughly $553/month back in your pocket — $6,636/year. Over five years that's $33,180 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Madison, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Lincoln is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

Median income

10% higher

Madison's median income is 10% higher than Lincoln

Lincoln

$67,846

Madison

Winner

$74,895

What this means for your life

Median household income is $74,895 in Madison versus $67,846 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Madison — about $7,049 more household income a year. The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.

Crime index

1% lower crime

Lincoln's crime index is 1% lower than Madison

Lincoln

Winner

70 (100 = avg)

Madison

71 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Lincoln's crime index is 70 versus 71 in Madison (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 1% lower in Lincoln. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Lincoln, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Madison. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.

School scores

Neck and neck

Lincoln and Madison are about even on school scores.

Lincoln

A- · 84/100

Madison

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Lincoln, A- in Madison). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better — at this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

15% more comfortable

Madison weather is 15% more comfortable than Lincoln

Lincoln

79°F typical

Madison

Winner

66°F typical

What this means for your life

Madison scores 15% more comfortable on this page's weather index, which rewards temperatures closer to a livable outdoor day. Typical temperatures sit around 79°F in Lincoln and 66°F in Madison. Lincoln reads as warm weather most of the year; Madison reads as mild, livable temperatures. The comfort edge is real but not a personality transplant. If you already know you want Lincoln's season, a modest index lead should not talk you out of it. If you are undecided, Madison is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Fit check

Who should choose Lincoln

Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy

Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 33% cheaper here at about $1,141 a month. Choose Lincoln if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Lincoln is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 1% lower than Madison (70 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.

Open the Lincoln report →

Fit check

Who should choose Madison

Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access

It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 10% higher ($74,895), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two — around 66°F. That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.

Open the Madison report →

Bottom line

Lincoln vs Madison, called

If cost of living is your priority, Lincoln is the clear choice.

If weather matters more to you, Madison pulls ahead.

For most movers comparing these two cities, Lincoln offers the better overall package.

Common questions

Lincoln vs Madison FAQ

Is Lincoln cheaper than Madison?: Yes. Typical rent in Lincoln is $1,141 a month versus $1,694 in Madison — 33% cheaper. Median household income is $67,846 in Lincoln compared with $74,895 in Madison, so Madison has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Lincoln or Madison?: Lincoln is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 70 versus 71 in Madison — 1% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Lincoln or Madison?: School composites are close: A- in Lincoln and A- in Madison. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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