CostIndexUSA

Anchorage, AK vs Lincoln, NE Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableNE
Lincoln
91.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Lincoln is moderately cheaper than Anchorage — 13.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $69,500 in Lincoln. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing23.4%
Anchorage
109.9
Lincoln
84.2
🛒 Groceries12.3%
Anchorage
107.3
Lincoln
94.1
🚗 Transportation10.0%
Anchorage
108.5
Lincoln
97.6
🏥 Healthcare10.1%
Anchorage
98.2
Lincoln
88.3
Utilities31.3%
Anchorage
111.8
Lincoln
76.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lincoln, NE
$69,500
$10,500 less needed in Lincoln

Formula: salary × (91.6 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 0.8691. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Lincoln, NE

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

Anchorage has 23.4% lower housing costs compared to Lincoln.

Income & Job Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

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).

Anchorage, AK
4.6×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.