CostIndexUSA

Lincoln, NE vs Pasadena, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNE
Lincoln
91.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
CA
Pasadena
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Lincoln is significantly cheaper than Pasadena — 24.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lincoln, you would need $99,200 in Pasadena. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+102.4%
Lincoln
84.2
Pasadena
170.4
🛒 Groceries+13.3%
Lincoln
94.1
Pasadena
106.6
🚗 Transportation+12.3%
Lincoln
97.6
Pasadena
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+12.2%
Lincoln
88.3
Pasadena
99.1
Utilities+106.5%
Lincoln
76.8
Pasadena
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pasadena, CA
$99,200
$19,200 more needed in Pasadena

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 91.6) = salary × 1.2402. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lincoln, NE

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

Pasadena, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Pasadena has 102.4% higher housing costs compared to Lincoln.

Income & Job Market

Lincoln, NE

Median Household Income
$71,200
Per Capita Income
$40,600
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Population
289,102
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentFinanceManufacturing

Pasadena, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
141,029
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareEntertainmentFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Lincoln, NE
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Pasadena, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.