City Comparison · 2026
Lincoln vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Lincoln = $148k in Chicago
Metric
Lincoln
Chicago
COL Index
✓0.93
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,100/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,380/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
NE
IL
$100k Take-Home
$73,564
✓$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
26.44%
✓26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$60,364
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Lincoln NE | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,412 $3,951/mo · 20.98% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,564 $6,130/mo · 26.44% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $105,186 $8,766/mo · 29.88% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lincoln or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Lincoln has a cost-of-living index of 0.93 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Lincoln is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Lincoln is $1,100/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Lincoln?
$100k in Lincoln = $148k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 48.4%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Lincoln or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,564 in NE (Lincoln) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $60,364 in Lincoln vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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