Lincoln, NE vs Wheeling, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Lincoln
78.7
#164 nationally
Wheeling
77.3
#265 nationally
Lincoln leads in average commute (18.4 min vs 26.6 min). Wheeling leads in median household income ($80,054 vs $63,126). Lincoln leads in cost of living index (90 vs 104).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wheeling, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 78.7 (#164) | 77.3 (#265) |
| Population | 295,222 | 37,725 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $295,359 | $321,656 |
| Median Household Income | $63,126 | $80,054 |
| Average Commute | 18.4 min | 26.6 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 44 |
| Crime Level | Low | 1.7 |
| School Rating | 7.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+4.3 | D+42.0 |
C+
78.7 Score
Lincoln, NE
University town with capital charm
Median Home
$295,359
Population
295,222
Crime
Low
Schools
B+
Midwest
View Lincoln, NE →
C+
77.3 Score
Wheeling, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$321,656
Population
37,725
Crime
Low
Walk Score
44
Midwest
View Wheeling, IL →
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