Lincoln, NE vs Iowa City, IA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Iowa City, IA and Lincoln, NE are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Lincoln works out to about $74,900 in Iowa City, before taxes.
- Housing is 0.3% lower in Iowa City, goods 0.4% lower and other services 0.1% lower, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,757 a month in Iowa City and $1,281 in Lincoln, $5,712 a year more in Iowa City (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $300,000 in Iowa City and $301,000 in Lincoln.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.6%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Lincoln and Iowa City
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Lincoln, NE
- Iowa City, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lincoln, NE | Iowa City, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.6 | 91.5 |
| Goods | 94.1 | 93.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 84.2 | 84.0 |
| Utilities | 76.8 | 83.7 |
| Other services | 93.0 | 92.9 |
| Category | Lincoln | Iowa City | Iowa City vs Lincoln |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.6 | 91.5 | −0.1% |
| Goods | 94.1 | 93.7 | −0.4% |
| Housing (rents) | 84.2 | 84.0 | −0.3% |
| Utilities | 76.8 | 83.7 | +8.9% |
| Other services | 93.0 | 92.9 | −0.1% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,281 | $1,757 | +37.2% |
| Typical home value | $301,000 | $300,000 | −0.2% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Lincoln | $75,000 | $74,900 | −0.1% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Lincoln and Iowa City has been fairly stable since 2008
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Lincoln, NE
- Iowa City, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lincoln, NE | Iowa City, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.0 | 95.7 |
| 2009 | 95.0 | 95.0 |
| 2010 | 94.9 | 97.2 |
| 2011 | 93.3 | 96.2 |
| 2012 | 93.8 | 96.5 |
| 2013 | 94.6 | 97.1 |
| 2014 | 94.7 | 97.6 |
| 2015 | 94.0 | 95.0 |
| 2016 | 93.3 | 95.4 |
| 2017 | 93.6 | 94.7 |
| 2018 | 94.4 | 94.8 |
| 2019 | 95.1 | 95.7 |
| 2020 | 95.2 | 95.6 |
| 2021 | 93.2 | 93.0 |
| 2022 | 92.0 | 91.3 |
| 2023 | 91.9 | 91.9 |
| 2024 | 91.6 | 91.5 |
Goods
- Lincoln, NE
- Iowa City, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lincoln, NE | Iowa City, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.9 | 96.1 |
| 2009 | 97.1 | 96.2 |
| 2010 | 96.6 | 96.2 |
| 2011 | 96.1 | 95.9 |
| 2012 | 97.2 | 97.0 |
| 2013 | 97.1 | 96.8 |
| 2014 | 98.1 | 98.1 |
| 2015 | 97.9 | 97.9 |
| 2016 | 97.4 | 97.1 |
| 2017 | 95.9 | 95.8 |
| 2018 | 94.6 | 95.8 |
| 2019 | 97.2 | 97.2 |
| 2020 | 96.0 | 95.5 |
| 2021 | 94.6 | 94.1 |
| 2022 | 93.9 | 93.3 |
| 2023 | 96.5 | 96.6 |
| 2024 | 94.1 | 93.7 |
Housing (rents)
- Lincoln, NE
- Iowa City, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lincoln, NE | Iowa City, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 79.1 | 87.6 |
| 2009 | 80.8 | 83.8 |
| 2010 | 82.9 | 98.5 |
| 2011 | 81.6 | 102.8 |
| 2012 | 79.9 | 98.7 |
| 2013 | 81.6 | 100.8 |
| 2014 | 83.1 | 104.3 |
| 2015 | 84.3 | 94.1 |
| 2016 | 77.5 | 94.6 |
| 2017 | 85.3 | 95.5 |
| 2018 | 88.5 | 87.1 |
| 2019 | 86.4 | 90.0 |
| 2020 | 89.7 | 93.3 |
| 2021 | 83.0 | 82.4 |
| 2022 | 86.2 | 83.5 |
| 2023 | 83.6 | 81.6 |
| 2024 | 84.2 | 84.0 |
Utilities
- Lincoln, NE
- Iowa City, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lincoln, NE | Iowa City, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 80.5 | 90.9 |
| 2009 | 81.9 | 92.7 |
| 2010 | 81.4 | 90.7 |
| 2011 | 82.9 | 90.3 |
| 2012 | 85.2 | 89.2 |
| 2013 | 85.5 | 89.3 |
| 2014 | 79.4 | 84.3 |
| 2015 | 80.5 | 83.1 |
| 2016 | 78.2 | 82.0 |
| 2017 | 83.3 | 88.6 |
| 2018 | 87.8 | 97.4 |
| 2019 | 87.4 | 97.2 |
| 2020 | 89.2 | 98.1 |
| 2021 | 88.9 | 100.2 |
| 2022 | 87.3 | 100.3 |
| 2023 | 80.7 | 88.0 |
| 2024 | 76.8 | 83.7 |
Other services
- Lincoln, NE
- Iowa City, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lincoln, NE | Iowa City, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.6 | 98.8 |
| 2009 | 99.2 | 98.5 |
| 2010 | 98.4 | 98.0 |
| 2011 | 95.7 | 94.7 |
| 2012 | 96.2 | 95.7 |
| 2013 | 97.5 | 96.6 |
| 2014 | 96.8 | 95.9 |
| 2015 | 95.3 | 94.0 |
| 2016 | 96.2 | 95.3 |
| 2017 | 95.1 | 94.0 |
| 2018 | 96.5 | 96.2 |
| 2019 | 96.7 | 96.3 |
| 2020 | 96.7 | 96.2 |
| 2021 | 95.9 | 95.3 |
| 2022 | 92.5 | 92.0 |
| 2023 | 91.9 | 92.3 |
| 2024 | 93.0 | 92.9 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,757 in Iowa City vs $1,281 in Lincoln
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Lincoln, NE
- Iowa City, IA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Lincoln, NE | Iowa City, IA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $1,187 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $828 | $1,197 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $837 | $1,202 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $842 | $1,180 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $836 | $1,206 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $847 | $1,232 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $864 | $1,234 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $858 | $1,211 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $873 | $1,268 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $875 | $1,264 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $897 | $1,247 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $896 | $1,225 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $892 | $1,278 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $905 | $1,285 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $924 | $1,262 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $908 | $1,260 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $906 | $1,289 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $930 | $1,289 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $949 | $1,282 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $958 | $1,273 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $939 | $1,319 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $969 | $1,326 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,000 | $1,332 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,023 | $1,339 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,029 | $1,384 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,046 | $1,384 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,096 | $1,400 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,101 | $1,412 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,111 | $1,448 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,129 | $1,453 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,160 | $1,468 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,171 | $1,498 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,172 | $1,512 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,192 | $1,536 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,212 | $1,536 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,218 | $1,555 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,210 | $1,579 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,237 | $1,600 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,251 | $1,620 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,260 | $1,628 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,247 | $1,652 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,263 | $1,685 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,281 | $1,706 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,281 | $1,757 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $300,000 in Iowa City vs $301,000 in Lincoln
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Lincoln, NE
- Iowa City, IA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Lincoln, NE | Iowa City, IA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $155K | $187K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $158K | $189K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $160K | $191K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $164K | $192K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $167K | $194K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $169K | $195K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $171K | $196K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $173K | $198K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $176K | $199K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $179K | $202K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $181K | $204K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $183K | $206K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $185K | $208K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $188K | $210K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $192K | $212K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $193K | $213K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $196K | $215K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $198K | $218K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $200K | $219K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $202K | $222K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $205K | $223K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $206K | $224K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $211K | $226K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $218K | $229K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $226K | $231K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $237K | $237K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $243K | $241K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $245K | $246K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $256K | $254K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $267K | $262K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $266K | $264K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $266K | $266K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $267K | $267K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $274K | $272K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $277K | $275K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $276K | $276K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $278K | $277K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $280K | $279K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $281K | $280K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $284K | $283K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $286K | $287K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $288K | $287K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $291K | $291K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $296K | $295K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $299K | $298K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $299K | $298K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $301K | $300K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.