City comparison
Lincoln, NE vs Utica, NY
What a paycheck is really worth in each city: prices, rent and state taxes.
Key findings
- Prices in Utica, NY are 1.2% higher than in Lincoln, NE. Someone earning $100,000 in Lincoln, NE would need about $101,200 in Utica, NY to live the same way.
- Typical 1-bedroom rents are close: $926 a month in Lincoln, NE and $926 in Utica, NY.
- On $100,000, estimated state income tax is about $1,189 a year higher in Utica, NY than in Lincoln, NE.
- Both cities are in the same federal pay area (Rest of U.S.), so a GS-13 step 1 earns $106,437 in either. A transfer from Lincoln, NE to Utica, NY changes real buying power by −1.2%, purely from prices.
- Lincoln, NE: price level 91.6 (much cheaper)
- Utica, NY: price level 92.7 (cheaper)
Map drawn from Census Bureau state boundaries and metro locations9,10; dot colours show BEA price levels2.
Side by side
| Lincoln, NE | Utica, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (U.S. = 100)2 | 91.6 | 92.7 |
| $100,000 is worth, in the other city2 | $101,198 in Utica | $98,816 in Lincoln |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent3 | $926/mo | $926/mo |
| Take-home on $100,00014,15,8 | $75,510 | $74,320 |
| State income tax on $100,000 (estimate)8 | $3,670 (NE) | $4,860 (NY) |
| Rent burden on $100,000 | 15% | 15% |
| Median pay, all jobs4 | $49,800 | $48,970 |
| Federal locality pay area7 | Rest of U.S. | Rest of U.S. |
Rent areas: Lincoln, NE HUD Metro FMR Area and Utica-Rome, NY MSA. Metro areas: Lincoln, NE and Utica-Rome, NY.
What costs more or less
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | Lincoln | Utica |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | 84.2 | 66.1 |
| Goods | 94.1 | 99.7 |
| Utilities | 76.8 | 131.9 |
| Other services | 93.0 | 97.8 |
| Overall | 91.6 | 92.7 |
Moving with the same $100,000 salary
Lincoln, NE → Utica, NY
Roughly even
Buying power −1.2%; rent takes 15% of take-home; state tax +$1,189/yr.
65 Fair offer
Utica, NY → Lincoln, NE
Roughly even
Buying power +1.2%; rent takes 15% of take-home; state tax −$1,189/yr.
72 Strong offer
On the GS pay scale?
Both metros are in the Rest of U.S. locality pay area, so GS salaries are identical. The last column shows what a transfer from Lincoln, NE to Utica, NY at the same grade and step does to real buying power.
| Grade5,2 | Lincoln, NE | Utica, NY | Real change, Lincoln → Utica |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 step 1 | $61,722 | $61,722 | −1.2% |
| GS-11 step 1 | $74,678 | $74,678 | −1.2% |
| GS-12 step 1 | $89,508 | $89,508 | −1.2% |
| GS-13 step 1 | $106,437 | $106,437 | −1.2% |
| GS-14 step 1 | $125,776 | $125,776 | −1.2% |
Pay for common jobs
| Median annual pay4 | Lincoln, NE | Utica, NY | Utica pay in Lincoln dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $61,940 | $77,010 | $76,098 (+22.9%) |
| Software Developers | $101,690 | $113,390 | $112,048 (+10.2%) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $65,170 | $79,830 | $78,885 (+21.0%) |
| Registered Nurses | $87,530 | $94,300 | $93,184 (+6.5%) |
"Not published" means BLS doesn't release an estimate for that job in that metro.