Cost of Living in Lincoln, NE - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,048 (excluding rent), and $1,960 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,514 (excluding rent), and $4,192 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.99 $14.99

$11.99 $11.99

$24.98 $24.98

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$57.9 $57.9

$45.27 $45.27

$131 $131

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.22 $12.22

$9.17 $9.17

$13.24 $13.24

Cappuccino

$5.17 $5.17

$3.55 $3.55

$6.09 $6.09

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.1 $2.1

$1.46 $1.46

$2.91 $2.91

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 $1.57

$1.01 $1.01

$2.03 $2.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.07 $5.07

$4.06 $4.06

$6.59 $6.59

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.07 $6.07

$4.05 $4.05

$10.12 $10.12

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$0.46 $0.46

$1.35 $1.35

White Bread (500g)

$3.1 $3.1

$1.63 $1.63

$5.45 $5.45

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.49 $5.49

$3.27 $3.27

$8.7 $8.7

Eggs

$4.42 $4.42

$3.06 $3.06

$5.93 $5.93

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.8 $10.8

$8.79 $8.79

$17.58 $17.58

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.09 $11.09

$6.71 $6.71

$13.43 $13.43

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.39 $14.39

$6.12 $6.12

$17.48 $17.48

Apples (1kg)

$6 $6

$2.18 $2.18

$10.94 $10.94

Banana (1kg)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.13 $1.13

$4.52 $4.52

Oranges (1kg)

$4.82 $4.82

$2.79 $2.79

$11.26 $11.26

Tomato (1kg)

$4.69 $4.69

$2.25 $2.25

$6.76 $6.76

Potato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$1.78 $1.78

$8.38 $8.38

Onion (1kg)

$3.31 $3.31

$1.82 $1.82

$4.34 $4.34

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.02 $1.02

$2.66 $2.66

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.23 $2.23

$0.98 $0.98

$2.94 $2.94

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.79 $9.79

$8.9 $8.9

$10.87 $10.87

Wine (Bottle)

$17.15 $17.15

$12.11 $12.11

$25.22 $25.22

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.73 $1.73

$1.11 $1.11

$2.79 $2.79

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.38 $3.38

$1.52 $1.52

$4.06 $4.06

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.8 $1.8

$1.29 $1.29

$2.57 $2.57

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.21 $29.21

$20.15 $20.15

$50.4 $50.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.72 $6.72

$4.97 $4.97

$7.96 $7.96

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.88 $1.88

$1.13 $1.13

$3.45 $3.45

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$34.6 $34.6

$26.1 $26.1

$34.6 $34.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.77 $0.77

$0.67 $0.67

$0.85 $0.85

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.5K $30.5K

$23.4K $23.4K

$40.2K $40.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.9K $24.9K

$26.1K $26.1K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$113 $113

$50.8 $50.8

$147 $147

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$49.97 $49.97

$43.26 $43.26

$55.3 $55.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$64.4 $64.4

$47.16 $47.16

$80.3 $80.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.8 $57.8

$35.68 $35.68

$61.2 $61.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.58 $26.58

$14.95 $14.95

$39.86 $39.86

Cinema Ticket

$14.89 $14.89

$12.91 $12.91

$20.85 $20.85

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,092 $1,092

$558 $558

$1,603 $1,603

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.7K $23.7K

$17K $17K

$27.6K $27.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.44 $49.44

$25.23 $25.23

$89.8 $89.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.24 $35.24

$15.1 $15.1

$50.3 $50.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.5 $87.5

$51 $51

$138 $138

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$93.4 $93.4

$49.94 $49.94

$210 $210

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,038 $1,038

$806 $806

$1,239 $1,239

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$840 $840

$600 $600

$1,699 $1,699

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,509 $2,509

$1,505 $1,505

$4,014 $4,014

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,713 $1,713

$1,418 $1,418

$3,545 $3,545

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,885 $1,885

$1,878 $1,878

$1,889 $1,889

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,836 $1,836

$1,829 $1,829

$1,840 $1,840

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,779 $3,779

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.54

6.19

6.8

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: October 28, 2025

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Lincoln, NE - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Lincoln, NE, United States sits in the middle among midwestern and national options. For travelers and longer stays, housing tends to be more flexible than coastal hubs, with a mix of compact downtown apartments and quieter leafy neighborhoods just outside the core. Daily costs for groceries, dining, and services stay reasonable if you shop locally and avoid tourist traps. Transportation is typically uncomplicated, whether you drive, take the bus, or bike along flat streets. Seasonal changes shape activities and packing. Tip: Start with a short-term rental to test neighborhoods before committing to a longer lease.

Daily life in Lincoln blends practicality with a friendly pace. Housing options span downtown apartments close to services and quieter streets farther from campus, letting you balance access and price. For food, you’ll find farmers markets, affordable grocers, and a range of restaurants that won’t break the bank if you skip trendier spots. Transportation is flexible: car trips, good bus coverage, and bike routes add up to easy options for errands and meetings. Co-working spaces and coffee spots with reliable Wi‑Fi support remote work, too. Think of Lincoln, NE, United States living cost as a practical baseline for budgeting. Tip: Build a two‑week trial of routines to compare neighborhoods before committing.

Quality of life in Lincoln is best approached with a simple budgeting framework and a neighborhood test. Start with fixed costs like rent and utilities, then map variable categories such as groceries, dining, and transit. Seasonality matters: winter adds heating considerations, while summer invites outdoor activities and occasional crowds around events. To find a good fit, pick a couple of neighborhoods for a month or two, note walking times to parks, groceries, and workspaces, and weigh noise, safety, and commute length. Practical saving tips include cooking at home, shopping farmers markets, and consolidating trips to reduce fuel or transit use. Tip: use a trial month to compare rhythms before committing long term.