Is Lincoln cheaper than Reno?

Yes. Typical rent in Lincoln is $1,141 a month versus $1,870 in Reno — 39% cheaper. Median household income is $67,846 in Lincoln compared with $73,073 in Reno, so Reno has the stronger local pay picture.

Which city is safer, Lincoln or Reno?

Lincoln is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 70 versus 117 in Reno — 40% 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 Reno?

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

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City comparison

Lincoln, NE vs Reno, NV

Lincoln, NE versus Reno, NV 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 $1,870 in Reno, and median household income lands at $67,846 versus $73,073. Open either city's full report when you want the block-level detail behind these headlines.

Lincoln takes affordability, safety, and weather, while Reno takes job market. The widest gap is crime index, where Lincoln leads by 40% — 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 Reno do on paper. Use this page to pick a city, then use the Lincoln and Reno reports to pick a neighborhood — and visit in the season you like least before you sign anything.

Full Lincoln report Full Reno report

Lincoln, NE

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

Reno, NV

Rent: $1,870/mo
Median income: $73,073
Crime index: 117
Schools: A-
Weather: 80°F

Rent

39% cheaper

Lincoln rent is 39% cheaper than Reno

Lincoln

Winner

$1,141/mo

Reno

$1,870/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,141 a month in Lincoln versus $1,870 in Reno, so Lincoln is 39% cheaper. That's roughly $729/month back in your pocket — $8,748/year. Over five years that's $43,740 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 Reno, 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

8% higher

Reno's median income is 8% higher than Lincoln

Lincoln

$67,846

Reno

Winner

$73,073

What this means for your life

Median household income is $73,073 in Reno versus $67,846 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Reno — about $5,227 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

40% lower crime

Lincoln's crime index is 40% lower than Reno

Lincoln

Winner

70 (100 = avg)

Reno

117 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Lincoln's crime index is 70 versus 117 in Reno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 40% lower in Lincoln. That gap is meaningful day-to-day — it affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Lincoln is the easier city. Reno can still work if you pick the right pocket — just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

School scores

Neck and neck

Lincoln and Reno are about even on school scores.

Lincoln

A- · 84/100

Reno

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Lincoln, A- in Reno). 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

4% more comfortable

Lincoln weather is 4% more comfortable than Reno

Lincoln

Winner

79°F typical

Reno

80°F typical

What this means for your life

Lincoln scores 4% 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 80°F in Reno. Lincoln reads as warm weather most of the year; Reno reads as warm weather most of the year. The comfort edge is real but not a personality transplant. If you already know you want Reno's season, a modest index lead should not talk you out of it. If you are undecided, Lincoln is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Fit check

Who should choose Lincoln

Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing

Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 39% 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.

Pick Lincoln if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (79°F) beat Reno on this page's weather index by 4%. Reno may pay more or cost less, but Lincoln is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Lincoln is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 40% lower than Reno (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 Reno

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Reno is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 8% higher here ($73,073). Start with Reno if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Open the Reno report →

Bottom line

Lincoln vs Reno, called

If safety is your priority, Lincoln is the clear choice.

If the job market matters more to you, Reno pulls ahead.

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

Common questions

Lincoln vs Reno FAQ

Is Lincoln cheaper than Reno?: Yes. Typical rent in Lincoln is $1,141 a month versus $1,870 in Reno — 39% cheaper. Median household income is $67,846 in Lincoln compared with $73,073 in Reno, so Reno has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Lincoln or Reno?: Lincoln is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 70 versus 117 in Reno — 40% 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 Reno?: School composites are close: A- in Lincoln and A- in Reno. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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