Moving from Lincoln, NE to Omaha, NE-IA
About 4,173 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 6,376 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Omaha, NE-IA.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 20.3% of income in Lincoln, NE and 20.3% in Omaha, NE-IA.
Lincoln, NE Omaha, NE-IA (monthly)
| Monthly | Lincoln, NE | Omaha, NE-IA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,186 | $1,186 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $192 | $192 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,647 | $4,647 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,009 | $1,219 | +$210 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,009 | $1,219 | +$210 |
| Food | $415 | $414 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 94.1 | $415 | $414 | $0 |
| Transportation | $164 | $164 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.11/gal (Midwest (PADD)) | $164 | $164 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $26 | $26 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 5.5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $26 | $26 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $935 | $935 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 94.1 | $471 | $470 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 93.0 | $465 | $465 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,098 | $1,889 | −$210 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 15.1% of income in Lincoln, NE and 15.1% in Omaha, NE-IA.
Lincoln, NE Omaha, NE-IA (monthly)
| Monthly | Lincoln, NE | Omaha, NE-IA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,514 | $1,514 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $279 | $279 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,486 | $8,486 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,230 | $1,450 | +$220 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,230 | $1,450 | +$220 |
| Childcare | $2,024 | $2,024 | $0 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $205/wk, school-age $177/wk (2022 prices, Douglas County, NE); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $2,024 | $2,024 | $0 |
| Food | $1,207 | $1,206 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 94.1 | $1,207 | $1,206 | $0 |
| Transportation | $329 | $329 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.11/gal (Midwest (PADD)) | $329 | $329 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $26 | $26 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 5.5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $26 | $26 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $935 | $935 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 94.1 | $471 | $470 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 93.0 | $465 | $465 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,735 | $2,516 | −$219 |
Lincoln, NE vs Omaha, NE-IA at a glance
| Measure | Lincoln, NE | Omaha, NE-IA |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 91.6 | 91.9 |
| Housing price level | 84.2 | 86.4 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,009 | $1,219 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,230 | $1,450 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,703 | $1,924 |
| Median home value | $273,500 | $268,600 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.51% | 1.64% |
| Median household income | $75,049 | $84,829 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $244 | $244 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 5.5% | 5.5% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.11 | $4.11 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $117 | $117 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Omaha, NE-IA to keep my Lincoln, NE lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Lincoln, NE, about $73,823 in Omaha, NE-IA (+5.5%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $123,472. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Omaha, NE-IA cheaper than Lincoln, NE?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Omaha, NE-IA is at 91.9 and Lincoln, NE at 91.6 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have −$210 a month in Omaha, NE-IA.
How many people move from Lincoln, NE to Omaha, NE-IA?+
About 4,173 people a year (±661), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 6,376 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.