CostIndexUSA

Johnson City, TN vs Lincoln, NE Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Johnson City
87.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
NE
Lincoln
91.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Johnson City is slightly cheaper than Lincoln — 4.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Johnson City, you would need $83,400 in Lincoln. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+33.2%
Johnson City
63.2
Lincoln
84.2
🛒 Groceries2.2%
Johnson City
96.2
Lincoln
94.1
🚗 Transportation2.3%
Johnson City
99.9
Lincoln
97.6
🏥 Healthcare2.3%
Johnson City
90.4
Lincoln
88.3
Utilities+6.8%
Johnson City
71.9
Lincoln
76.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lincoln, NE
$83,400
$3,400 more needed in Lincoln

Formula: salary × (91.6 ÷ 87.9) = salary × 1.0421. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Johnson City, TN

Median Home Price
$270,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
63.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.1×

Lincoln, NE

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

Lincoln has 33.2% higher housing costs compared to Johnson City.

Income & Job Market

Johnson City, TN

Median Household Income
$56,800
Per Capita Income
$32,400
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
68,006
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailGovernment

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).

Johnson City, TN
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.