CICostIndexUSA

Lincoln, NE vs Worcester, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNE
Lincoln
91.6
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
MA
Worcester
102.5
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Lincoln is moderately cheaper than Worcester — 11.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lincoln, you would need $89,500 in Worcester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+34.2%
Lincoln
84.2
Worcester
113
🛒 Groceries+3.1%
Lincoln
94.1
Worcester
97
🚗 Transportation+8.9%
Lincoln
97.6
Worcester
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+8.8%
Lincoln
88.3
Worcester
96.1
Utilities+102.1%
Lincoln
76.8
Worcester
155.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$89,500
$9,500 more needed in Worcester

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 91.6) = salary × 1.1190. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lincoln, NE

Median Home Price
$307,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
84.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0×

Worcester, MA

Median Home Price
$487,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
113
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Worcester has 34.2% higher housing costs compared to Lincoln.

Income & Job Market

Lincoln, NE

Median Household Income
$74,900
Per Capita Income
$42,700
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
289,102
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentFinanceManufacturing

Worcester, MA

Median Household Income
$96,600
Per Capita Income
$55,100
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
206,518
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

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

Lincoln, NE
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Worcester, MA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.