Houston
Texas
Pop. 2,296,253
VS
Lincoln
Nebraska
Pop. 290,531

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

71
Overall Score /100
Wins 0 of 7 categories
77
Overall Score /100
Wins 3 of 7 categories
Lincoln wins 3–0
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Lincoln wins 0–3 overall (77/100)
💰 Lincoln is more affordable
💼 Lincoln has lower unemployment
🛡️ Lincoln has fewer disasters

📋 Houston vs Lincoln — The Verdict

Lincoln scores 77.5/100 compared to Houston's 71.2/100, winning 3 out of 7 data categories. Housing costs are nearly identical between the two cities. Lincoln has a significantly tighter job market with unemployment at 3.0%. For safety-conscious movers, Lincoln has a notably lower disaster history with 11 fewer declarations in 20 years. Lincoln may be the better fit for job seekers.

💡 Key Differences
💰
Renting in Lincoln saves you $237/month — that's $2,844 per year.
💵
Households in Lincoln earn $7,406 more per year (12% higher median income).
📊
Lincoln has a 1.3 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🛡️
Lincoln has experienced 11 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Houston vs Lincoln: Cost of Living Comparison
80
vs
90
Median Home Value
$235,000
$230,400
Median Rent /mo
$1,235
$998
Median Income
$60,440
$67,846
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
Housing costs are remarkably similar between these two cities — just 2% apart on median home values. Your decision here will likely come down to other factors like jobs and climate.
💼 Houston vs Lincoln: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
70
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
3.0%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Lincoln having a slight edge at 3.0% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
🌡️ Houston vs Lincoln: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Houston vs Lincoln: Air Quality & Environment
100
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
12
17 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Houston vs Lincoln: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Houston vs Lincoln: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
21
10
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
High
Low
Lincoln has a markedly lower disaster history — 11 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.

❓ Moving from Houston to Lincoln: Common Questions

Is Houston or Lincoln cheaper to live in?
Lincoln is more affordable overall. Home prices are $4,600 lower in Lincoln. Monthly rent is $998 in Lincoln vs $1,235 in Houston.
Does Houston or Lincoln have better weather?
Lincoln scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Houston or Lincoln better for finding a job?
Lincoln currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.3% in Houston vs 3.0% in Lincoln. Median household income is $60,440 in Houston and $67,846 in Lincoln.
Which city is safer — Houston or Lincoln?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Lincoln is safer. Houston has had 21 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 10 in Lincoln. Houston scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Lincoln.
Should I move from Houston to Lincoln?
Based on our data, Lincoln scores 77.5/100 vs Houston's 71.2/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Lincoln is more affordable, while Lincoln has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 5, 2026.