City Comparison
Alliance vs Lincoln
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lincoln scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Alliance
Lincoln
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alliance is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
87% lower than in Lincoln.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alliance's average rent is
53% lower than Lincoln's.
| Metric | Alliance | Lincoln | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $647 | $1,363 | -53% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $260 | -31% |
| Transport | $120 | $1,200 | -90% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $9,572 | -97% |
| Monthly Total | $1,647 | $12,795 | -87% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lincoln offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lincoln delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Alliance is estimated at
$55,000 vs $52,000 in Lincoln.
| Metric | Alliance | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,160 | $71,867 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,400 idx | 76,454 idx |
| Household Income | $65,160 | $71,867 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alliance | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alliance has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Lincoln.
Lincoln scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lincoln leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alliance | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 14.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lincoln is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Lincoln is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alliance | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,075 | 303,375 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.61% |
| Median Age | 40.8 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 2.60% |
| GDP | — | $150.9B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Alliance
Advantages
Cost of living is 9% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 30% lower.
Violent crime rate is significantly lower than the national average, with 0 reported murders in 2024.
High homeownership rate of 75.2%.
Short average commute time of 10.6 minutes.
The Health Care & Social Assistance sector is a major employer in the city.
Drawbacks
Population has been declining slightly in recent years.
Walkability and transit scores are very low, indicating high car dependency.
Limited retail options within the city, requiring travel to nearby Scottsbluff for more extensive shopping.
The overall climate risk is rated as 'Relatively High'.
Drug activity is noted as a concern within the community.
Lincoln
Advantages
Lincoln's cost of living is approximately 6% lower than the national average, driven by more affordable housing and utilities.
The city boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.6% as of May 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
Lincoln has a shorter average commute time of 19.5 minutes, saving residents time compared to the national average.
The city is recognized for its exceptional public safety, with Part 1 crime reaching a 25-year low in 2025.
Over 40% of adults in Lincoln have a bachelor's degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Drawbacks
While overall cost of living is lower, healthcare costs in Lincoln are about 3% higher than the U.S. average.
Lincoln's employment and wage growth rates have been nearly identical to Omaha's, which have been slower than comparable cities.
Public transportation options, while affordable, have a limited reach around the city.
The state of Nebraska, including Lincoln, has experienced low population and labor force growth due to people relocating to other states.
Some goods and services in Lincoln are approximately 4% pricier than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Alliance
#193Nebraska, USA
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$647
Avg Salary
$65,160
Cost Index
90
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
14.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Lincoln
#173Nebraska, USA
64.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,363
Avg Salary
$71,867
Cost Index
94
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.61%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
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