City Comparison
Hastings vs Lincoln
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lincoln scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hastings
Lincoln
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hastings is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
84% lower than in Lincoln.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hastings's average rent is
18% lower than Lincoln's.
| Metric | Hastings | Lincoln | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,122 | $1,363 | -18% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $260 | -31% |
| Transport | $120 | $1,200 | -90% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $9,572 | -97% |
| Monthly Total | $2,072 | $12,795 | -84% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lincoln offers 20% 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 Hastings is estimated at
$44,880 vs $52,000 in Lincoln.
| Metric | Hastings | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $57,554 | $71,867 |
| Salary Needed | $44,880 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,711 idx | 76,454 idx |
| Household Income | $64,048 | $71,867 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hastings runs warmer on average — a 53.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hastings comes out ahead with 284 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hastings sees 15.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hastings | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 284 | |
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Lincoln leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hastings | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lincoln is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Hastings.
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 | Hastings | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,008 | 303,375 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.10% | 0.61% |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 2.60% |
| GDP | — | $150.9B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hastings
Advantages
Cost of living is 15% lower than the national average, with housing expenses 27% lower than the national average.
Average commute time is significantly shorter than the national average, around 13.8 to 16.8 minutes.
Violent crime rate is substantially lower than the national average.
Hastings is a regional healthcare center with Mary Lanning Healthcare providing comprehensive services.
Strong agricultural and manufacturing base with established industries like ethanol production and irrigation equipment manufacturing.
Drawbacks
Crime rate is 10% higher than the national average overall, though violent crime is lower.
Walkability and transit scores are low, indicating high car dependency.
A notable percentage of families live below the poverty line (10.2% to 14.3%).
The median household income is lower than the national average.
Climate risk is rated as 'Relatively High' with specific risks like hail and strong winds.
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.
Hastings
#245Nebraska, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,122
Avg Salary
$57,554
Cost Index
85
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
284/yr
Avg Temp
53.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.10%
Unemployment
3.10%
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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