City Comparison
North Platte vs Lincoln
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
North Platte scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Platte
Lincoln
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
North Platte is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
86% lower than in Lincoln.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Platte's average rent is
30% lower than Lincoln's.
| Metric | North Platte | Lincoln | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,363 | -30% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $260 | -35% |
| Transport | $110 | $1,200 | -91% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $9,572 | -98% |
| Monthly Total | $1,820 | $12,795 | -86% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lincoln offers 25% 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 North Platte is estimated at
$45,000 vs $52,000 in Lincoln.
| Metric | North Platte | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $71,867 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 76,454 idx |
| Household Income | $61,200 | $71,867 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
North Platte runs warmer on average — a 52.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, North Platte comes out ahead with 287 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — North Platte sees 11.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Platte | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 11.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 287 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | North Platte | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lincoln is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of North Platte.
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 | North Platte | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,605 | 303,375 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.61% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.60% |
| GDP | — | $150.9B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Platte
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the U.S. national average per Census Bureau data.
Home to Union Pacific's Bailey Yard, providing robust and stable employment in transportation and logistics.
Exceptionally short average commute times under 18 minutes, reducing daily travel stress.
Access to quality regional healthcare anchored by Great Plains Health.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities nearby, including Lake Maloney State Recreation Area.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure makes car ownership an absolute necessity.
Severe winter weather conditions and occasional heavy snowfall can impact travel.
Limited high-paying professional career options outside of healthcare, education, and rail transport.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan cultural centers and large airports.
Limited dining, nightlife, and entertainment options compared to larger cities.
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.
North Platte
#103Nebraska, USA
67.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
287/yr
Avg Temp
52.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
75
Business
67
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between North Platte and Lincoln.
Open Cost Calculator