Living in Lincoln, Nebraska: 10 Things To Know About Star City

Heard of Star City? The origins of Lincoln’s nickname might be hazy, but the reasons to move here definitely aren’t. With average home values significantly lower than the national average, the University of Nebraska nearby, and Fortune 500 companies planted around town, it’s easy to see why people love living in Lincoln, Nebraska. Is it a good city to move to, though? We’ve compiled this list of 10 things to know about living in Lincoln, Nebraska, so you can decide that for yourself. 

Lincoln at a Glance

• Population: Lincoln’s population is over 300,000.
• Median age: The median age in Lincoln is 33.9.
• City size: Lincoln’s total area is about 104 square miles.
• Location: Lincoln sits in the southeastern part of Nebraska, approximately 60 miles southwest of Omaha and about midway between Denver and Chicago.
• Fun fact: The famous talk show host and comedian, Johnny Carson, was from Lincoln!

10 Things To Know About Living in Lincoln, Nebraska

Upon research, you’ll notice affordability, great job opportunities, and national rankings. While there are pros and cons of living in Nebraska, these highlights will cover everything you should know about moving to Lincoln, Nebraska, before you start packing your bags.

1. The Cost of Living in Lincoln, Nebraska Is Affordable

While Lincoln may not be the most affordable part of the state, living here is still much cheaper than other major metros around the U.S. Its cost of living score comes in at 92.6 — 7.4 percent lower than the national average index of 100.

For homeowners, moving to Lincoln, Nebraska provides variety. Whether you’re on the house hunt for a historic Renaissance Revival or a modern ranch-style home in a newer neighborhood, you can find it all. The city’s average home value sits at just $295,300 — over a whopping $76,000 below the national average of $371,800.

If you want to rent, Lincoln’s market offers affordability without sacrificing your space. The city’s average rent for a one-bedroom apartment sits at $1,175 for just over 750 square feet.

2. Lincoln Has Top-Notch Neighborhoods

Whether you crave the hustle and bustle of Downtown or the quiet of a suburban neighborhood, the best places to live in Lincoln, Nebraska, have something for everyone.

Downtown Lincoln

This is booming with lots of young professionals and college students — plus it boasts accessibility and a host of entertainment options.

Hartley

Those looking for small-town rural living not far from the city should look into Hartley. Perfect for families, you’ll find plenty of shopping centers nearby and great opportunities to get outside. Woods Park offers flower gardens, a ballfield, a sand volleyball court, and the FitLot Fitness Park.

West A

Retirees seeking seclusion without sacrificing fun should consider West A — a western Lincoln neighborhood with some of the best outdoor views at Pioneers Park Nature Center.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is one of the top 100 public colleges and universities in the nation.
(Source: Loverice Lah via Pexels)

3. Lincoln Provides Great Learning Opportunities

Lincoln Public Schools is the second-largest public school district in the state, with over 70 schools and programs. Out of the five school districts in Lancaster County, Lincoln Public Schools is ranked as the No. 1 best school district overall, the best school district for athletes, and the best place to teach in the county, according to Niche. The city is also home to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln — one of the top 100 public colleges and universities in the nation.

4. The City’s Sports Scene Runs Deep

As a Lincoln resident, you'll have a couple of teams to root for, and it’ll be easy to fall in love with them quickly. The Lincoln Saltdogs are the city’s baseball team, and they play in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. The Lincoln Stars are the city’s professional hockey team — part of the United States Hockey League (USHL) — that has multiple Clark Cup championships.

But the real dedication comes with the college teams. It’s a tradition in all of Nebraska to cheer on the University of Nebraska’s Cornhuskers. Better known as the Huskers, you’ll find a sea of red jerseys pretty much year-round.

5. Professional Growth Is Easy in Lincoln

Lincoln has become a hotspot for professionals seeking new opportunities, largely due to the city’s lower cost of living. Pair that with the fact that Nebraska has been dubbed the “Silicon Prairie” — due to the large presence of major tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta. Some of the best companies to work for in Lincoln proper are Crete Carrier, Duncan Aviation, and B&R Stores.

6. The Property Crime Rate in Lincoln Is Bad

Unfortunately, the overall crime rate in Lincoln is not great — particularly when it comes to property crime. Compared to national median crime rates, property crime in Lincoln is significantly higher; however, violent crime is actually lower. (Phew!)

According to NeighborhoodScout, living in Lincoln, Nebraska, means your chances of becoming a victim of property crime are one in 41, or 2.4 percent. The rate is only one in 290 when it comes to violent crime, or around 0.3 percent, which should give everyone a little peace of mind!

7. Lincoln Has a Vibrant Cultural Scene

The local culture is another huge part of what makes living in Lincoln, Nebraska, so great. The city is known for its vibrant theater and music scene and is home to various venues, including Pinewood Performing Arts and Bourbon Theatre. The Historic Haymarket District and nearby Railyard are also some of the area's most active venues. This city also offers many museums, theaters, and art galleries.

Community Events

Additionally, you’ll find lots of great events to enjoy that sense of community, like neighborhood block parties and fun festivals year-round. For example, the Lincoln Children's Museum hosts “sensory evenings” for families. There are so many things to do in Lincoln, Nebraska, that you’ll never get bored.

Food Culture

Out of all the pros and cons of living in Nebraska, one of the biggest pros is the state's history of agricultural success and food culture. In fact, the state (and the Midwest as a whole) spends less on groceries compared to the rest of the country.

Nightlife

Lincoln also has a wide variety of dining establishments to choose from, and some of the most popular bars and restaurants include The Green Gateau and LeadBelly. With what might be the longest main street in the world, O Street is long considered the city’s nightlife pinnacle. Some local favorite bars to check out include Brother’s and Sandy’s. To get away from younger crowds, explore Tavern on the Square and Zoo Bar for live music and great drinks.

8. Nature Lovers Will Love Living in Lincoln

Residents can always find outdoor things to do in Lincoln, Nebraska, as the city has plenty of parks, scenic spots, and over 185 miles of multi-use trails to explore.

Lincoln also hosts all kinds of fairs and festivals to celebrate the outdoors, so there’s never a shortage of events to attend. Some of these include the Lincoln Arts Festival and the Lancaster County Super Fair.

Dog-lovers living in Lincoln, Nebraska, have access to plenty of open spaces and parks where their furry friends can run free.

9. Lincoln Is a Pet-Friendly City

There are numerous pet-friendly neighborhoods — meaning minimal restrictions when it comes to renting with pets. Lincoln also has plenty of open spaces and parks where dogs can run free. One of these is Rickman’s Run, with over 23 acres of off-leash space for Fido to burn off all that energy.

10. Living in Lincoln Is Very Different From Living in Omaha

Living in Lincoln and living in Omaha offer very different experiences. For example, what Omaha lacks in nightlife is easily made up for by a family-friendly city filled with cultural attractions, including art galleries, theaters, and music venues, like the Joslyn Art Museum or The Slowdown. The city has also played host to the College World Series for the last 75 years.

Living in Lincoln, Nebraska, vs. Omaha, Nebraska

• The cost of living in Lincoln, Nebraska, sits at 92.6, and Omaha is at 90.8.
• Lincoln’s average home value is $295,400, and Omaha’s is $299,300.
• Omaha’s average rent is $1,325, compared to $1,375 in Lincoln.
• Omaha has an unemployment rate of 3.1 percent, while Lincoln is at 2.6 percent.
• Lincoln is safer than 9 percent of U.S. cities, while Omaha is safer than 5 percent of cities. This could potentially account for the increased cost of living in Lincoln.

Living in Lincoln, Nebraska — FAQs

Q: How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Lincoln, Nebraska?
A: The cost of living in Lincoln is lower than many other places, and what you deem comfortable can vary. Here’s a quick salary breakdown according to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator of what is essential:

• A family of four with two working adults would need an annual income of about $111,400 before taxes to cover living expenses.
• A single adult would need an annual income of $43,100 before taxes.

These numbers vary from the amount you need to live comfortably, which SmartAsset’s 50/30/20 budget formula — 50 percent needs, 30 percent wants, 20 percent savings/debt — suggests doubling to live comfortably. So, a family of four with two working adults would need an annual income of almost $222,800 before taxes to live comfortably in Lincoln, Nebraska, while a single adult would need around $86,200 annually before taxes.

Q: Is Lincoln, Nebraska, a good city to live in?
A: Yes. In fact, it’s been ranked the No. 18 happiest city in the U.S. by WalletHub. Niche has also ranked it the No. 6 best place to live in Nebraska, among other accolades.

Q: What are the pros and cons of living in Nebraska?
A: Some of Nebraska’s biggest pros are an affordable cost of living with a strong job market, while some of the biggest cons are a small public transit network and icy Midwest winters that can result in pretty extreme weather. Not to mention it’s situated in Tornado Alley.

Q: What are winters like in Lincoln, NE?
A: Winters in Lincoln, Nebraska, are typically windy, cloudy, and snowy. The typical lowest temperature of the year is around 17°F, and its annual snowfall average of 26 inches is in line with the national average of 28 inches. So, you can expect relatively cold and white holiday seasons! The infrastructure is made to withstand these exact conditions, and plenty of preparations are made ahead of the cold season.

Q: Does Lincoln, Nebraska, have good public transportation?
A: Situated in the heart of the Midwest, you’re just a one-hour drive from Omaha and about three hours from either Des Moines or Kansas City. StarTran offers bus routes throughout the city, though a car is more convenient. The Lincoln Airport provides access to farther destinations. 

Moving to Lincoln, Nebraska, is flexible with PODS portable moving containers.

Moving to Lincoln, Nebraska, With PODS

Make your move to Lincoln, Nebraska, flexible with PODS portable moving containers, where one month’s storage is included in the cost of every move. Have a container delivered right to your driveway for convenient loading on your own timeline. PODS can even connect you with local packing and loading assistance if you need help with the heavy lifting. When you’re ready, you can have your container picked up and delivered to your new home in Lincoln, or keep it in a secure PODS storage unit facility for as long as you need.

Visit PODS online for a free local moving quote or call 877-350-7637 for long-distance moving.

Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100. Home values in the millions were rounded to the nearest $100,000.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}