Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Lincoln to Phoenix
Based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Phoenix has a higher median household income ($81,332 vs. $71,867) and higher median home value ($420,700 vs. $264,000) than Lincoln, but also higher median gross rent ($1,582 vs. $1,086) and a longer commute (28 vs. 20 minutes). Phoenix applies a simplified state income tax reference of 2.50% in the calculator, while Lincoln’s state tax is excluded due to lack of approved reference. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month is a model assumption applied equally. These factors create a trade-off: Phoenix offers greater income and home equity potential but at higher housing costs and longer commutes, with tax treatment differing by data availability.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → LincolnMoving from Lincoln to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$496/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$5,952 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+8 min / day
Difference of ~67 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
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 → PHX
49/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$3,632after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Lincoln is about $5,952 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Lincoln gross rent$1,086
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Lincoln | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 294,856 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $71,867 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,086 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $264,000 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 20 minutes in Lincoln and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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 treatment in calculator
- 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..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Lincoln and Phoenix relative to income?
Lincoln’s median gross rent is $1,086/month on a $71,867 income, while Phoenix’s is $1,582/month on an $81,332 income. Rent represents a larger share of income in Phoenix despite higher earnings, based on 2024 ACS data.
What role does commute time play in the Lincoln-Phoenix comparison?
Lincoln’s derived one-way commute is 20 minutes versus Phoenix’s 28 minutes, based on weighted midpoints from the 2024 ACS table B08303. Shorter commutes in Lincoln may offset some income differences when considering time and transportation costs.
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.