CostIndexUSA

Lincoln, NE vs Racine, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNE
Lincoln
91.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
WI
Racine
96
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Lincoln is slightly cheaper than Racine — 4.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lincoln, you would need $83,800 in Racine. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+9.3%
Lincoln
84.2
Racine
92
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Lincoln
94.1
Racine
93.8
🚗 Transportation+7.0%
Lincoln
97.6
Racine
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+6.9%
Lincoln
88.3
Racine
94.4
Utilities+17.2%
Lincoln
76.8
Racine
90

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Racine, WI
$83,800
$3,800 more needed in Racine

Formula: salary × (96 ÷ 91.6) = salary × 1.0480. 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×

Racine, WI

Median Home Price
$293,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
92
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Racine has 9.3% 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

Racine, WI

Median Household Income
$74,000
Per Capita Income
$42,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
78,900
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

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)

Racine, WI
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.