Irving vs Lincoln: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Irving, Texas compare to Lincoln, Nebraska? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Lincoln is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 13% higher in Irving compared to Lincoln, while rent is 43% higher. TX has no state income tax.
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lincoln, NE | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $259,500 | $230,400 | +12.6% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,423 | $998 | +42.6% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $76,686 | $67,846 | +13.0% |
| Per Capita Income | $37,211 | $37,210 | same |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | 6.6% | -100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.2% | 6.9% | +18.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 254,962 | 290,531 | -12.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Irving
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Lincoln
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Irving costs $259,500 compared to $230,400 in Lincoln — a 13% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,423/mo in Irving vs $998/mo in Lincoln.
- Income: Median household income is $76,686 in Irving and $67,846 in Lincoln.
- Taxes: Texas has no state income tax, while Nebraska has a 6.64% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).