Is Lincoln, NE cheaper than St. Paul, MN?

Based on cost of living data, Lincoln, NE is 13.3% cheaper than St. Paul, MN. This translates to saving $1000 per month.

What salary do I need in Lincoln, NE to live like I do in St. Paul, MN?

If you earn $150,000 in St. Paul, MN, you'd need approximately $138,000 in Lincoln, NE to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between St. Paul, MN and Lincoln, NE?

Housing in Lincoln, NE is 22.1% cheaper than in St. Paul, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,230/month in Lincoln, NE compared to $1,680/month in St. Paul, MN.

How much can I save per month by moving from St. Paul, MN to Lincoln, NE?

Moving from St. Paul, MN to Lincoln, NE could save you approximately $1000 per month, or $12000 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

St. Paul, MN vs Lincoln, NE: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in St. Paul, MN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.0K/month moving to Lincoln, NE

$150.0K in your current city equals $138.0K in Lincoln, NE

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI area

Overall Cost

↓ 13.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,000

Savings

Annual Impact

$12.0K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

St. Paul, MN

Population:304K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$274K

Lincoln, NE

Population:295K

Cost Index:

(13% below avg)

Median Home:$274K

St. Paul, MN

The North Star State

304K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 304K residents.

Lincoln, NE

The Cornhusker State

295K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Nebraska, this city has a population of 295K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: St. Paul, MN vs Lincoln, NE

Category	St. Paul, MN	Lincoln, NE	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,703/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $598less	22.1%
Other	$1,724/mo	$1,574/mo	↓ $151less	8.7%
Transportation	$1,380/mo	$1,243/mo	↓ $137less	9.9%
Groceries	$1,029/mo	$949/mo	↓ $79.94less	7.8%
Healthcare	$756/mo	$682/mo	↓ $74.35less	9.8%
All Utilities	$508/mo	$470/mo	↓ $38.25less	7.5%

Housing

↓ 22.1%

St. Paul, MN

$2,703

Lincoln, NE

$2,105

Difference

$598

less

Other

↓ 8.7%

St. Paul, MN

$1,724

Lincoln, NE

$1,574

Difference

$151

less

Transportation

↓ 9.9%

St. Paul, MN

$1,380

Lincoln, NE

$1,243

Difference

$137

less

Groceries

↓ 7.8%

St. Paul, MN

$1,029

Lincoln, NE

$949

Difference

$79.94

less

Healthcare

↓ 9.8%

St. Paul, MN

$756

Lincoln, NE

$682

Difference

$74.35

less

All Utilities

↓ 7.5%

St. Paul, MN

$508

Lincoln, NE

$470

Difference

$38.25

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,220

To$920

↓ $300

1 Bed

From$1,380

To$1,000

↓ $380

2 Bed

From$1,680

To$1,230

↓ $450

3 Bed

From$2,225

To$1,705

↓ $520

St. Paul, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,250–$1,680/mo

Lincoln, NEZIP-level data

1BR range: $820–$1,350/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,100

Monthly in St. Paul, MN

$7,022

Monthly in Lincoln, NE

$1,078

Difference

Home Values

St. Paul

Lincoln

Median Value

$274K

YoY Change

↑ +3.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +36%

Price Range

$194K - $575K

Calculate payment - Lincoln

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $1.1K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$91.32

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.7%

Rate difference

St. Paul, MN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Minnesota State Tax

Effective: 7.0%

$10.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.6%

$47.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,546/month

$102.6K

Lincoln, NE

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Nebraska State Tax

Effective: 6.2%

$9.3K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.9%

$46.3K

Take-Home Pay

$8,638/month

$103.7K

Additional Tax Information

St. Paul, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

Lincoln, NE Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.0%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.