Durham vs Lincoln: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Durham, NC and Lincoln, NE, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lincoln, NE |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 284,094 | 290,531 |
| Median household income | $74,710 | $67,846 |
| Median home value | $316,600 | $230,400 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,296 | $998 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Durham, NC and Lincoln, NE comes down to what you value most. Lincoln has the lower median home value, and Lincoln has the lower median rent.
Durham has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Durham or Lincoln?
- By median home value, Lincoln is the cheaper of the two ($230,400 vs $316,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Durham or Lincoln?
- Median household income is $74,710 in Durham versus $67,846 in Lincoln, per the US Census Bureau.