Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Lincoln to Los Angeles
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Los Angeles has higher median income ($81,939 vs $71,867) and home values ($921,200 vs $264,000) than Lincoln, but also substantially higher gross rent ($1,933 vs $1,086) and longer commutes (33 vs 20 minutes). While LA applies a 9.30% state income tax reference in the model, Lincoln’s state tax is excluded per data constraints. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month is a modeling assumption applied equally to both cities. These factors create a trade-off: LA offers greater income and asset potential at higher housing and time costs, while Lincoln provides lower housing burdens and shorter commutes with more modest earnings.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → LincolnMoving from Lincoln to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$847/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$10,164 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+13 min / day
Difference of ~108 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTLIN → LAX
32/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$8,196after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Lincoln is about $10,164 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Lincoln household income$71,867
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Lincoln gross rent$1,086
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Lincoln | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 294,856 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $71,867 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $1,086 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $264,000 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 20 minutes in Lincoln and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- One-way commute time
- State income tax reference (modeled)
- Uniform non-housing cost baseline
What each city wins
Lincoln
Rent-to-income ratio is favorable at ~18%.. Watch lower housing costs may reflect tradeoffs in job quality or amenities not captured in acs data..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Lincoln and Los Angeles relative to income?
Lincoln’s median gross rent is $1,086/month on a $71,867 income, while Los Angeles’ is $1,933/month on $81,939. Rent consumes a larger share of income in LA despite higher earnings, reflecting tighter housing affordability.
What is the trade-off between commute time and home value in these two cities?
Lincoln residents have a 20-minute commute and median home value of $264,000, whereas Los Angeles averages 33 minutes and $921,200. Higher home values in LA correlate with longer commutes, indicating a space-time trade-off in housing location.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.