True Cost of Renting in Lincoln, NE

Lincoln is Nebraska's state capital and home to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (26,000 students). The combination of state government employment and university demand creates year-round rental market stability. Lincoln Electric System (LES) is municipally owned and historically provides competitive rates. The Haymarket district has been revitalized from a former rail freight depot into Lincoln's dining and entertainment hub.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Haymarket District

Studio:
$800/mo
1 Bed:
$1,000/mo
2 Bed:
$1,400/mo

Lincoln's revitalized former freight depot; Pinnacle Bank Arena, restaurants, and the Saturday farmers market. LES (Lincoln Electric System) electric at competitive municipal rates. Walkable to state Capitol and UNL campus. New construction apartments mixed with renovated historic buildings.

Near UNL / University Place

Studio:
$650/mo
1 Bed:
$850/mo
2 Bed:
$1,200/mo

Student neighborhood adjacent to University of Nebraska-Lincoln; high-density apartment complexes and older rental buildings. StarTran bus service. High summer vacancy — negotiate in May. Lower rents compensate for student-population noise and turnover.

South Lincoln / Williamsburg

1 Bed:
$900/mo
2 Bed:
$1,300/mo

Suburban apartment corridor along South 27th Street; newer complexes with amenities targeting young professionals. Bryan Health and St Elizabeth hospitals nearby. Car-dependent. Most new apartment construction in Lincoln.

Utility Providers

Electric
Lincoln Electric System (LES, municipal)
Water
City of Lincoln Water System
Internet
Cox Communications, Allo Communications, CenturyLink

Commute & Transportation

Lincoln is 55 miles southwest of Omaha on I-80. Lincoln Airport (LNK) has Delta, American, and United hub connections. I-80 connects to Omaha in 50 minutes. University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus is immediately west of Downtown. State government employment anchors the Capitol Mall northeast of Downtown. StarTran provides bus service throughout Lincoln. No light rail. Nebraska Innovation Campus bridges UNL research with industry.

Rental Market Overview

Lincoln offers exceptional value anchored by stable institutional employment. LES (Lincoln Electric System) is a municipally owned utility with rates typically 10–15% below investor-owned utilities ($0.09–0.11/kWh). State government employment means recession-resistant rental demand. UNL creates student rental demand but also year-round faculty and staff demand. Lincoln's Husker football culture means game-day foot traffic, but this doesn't materially affect annual rental costs. A 1BR in the Haymarket at $1,000 with Capitol employment walking distance is one of the best value-per-dollar propositions in any capital city in the US.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Lincoln

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Lincoln: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Lincoln?
One-bedroom apartments in Lincoln range from $850/month in Near UNL / University Place to $1,000/month in Haymarket District. Two-bedroom units range from $1,200 to $1,400/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Lincoln?
In Lincoln, electricity is provided by Lincoln Electric System (LES, municipal), water by City of Lincoln Water System, and common internet providers include Cox Communications, Allo Communications, CenturyLink. Lincoln Electric System (LES, municipal) is publicly owned rather than investor-owned, which in many cities means somewhat lower and more predictable rates than a neighboring market served by a private utility.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Lincoln?
Near UNL / University Place is the most affordable of the 3 Lincoln neighborhoods covered here, at $850/month for a one-bedroom — $150 less than Haymarket District, roughly a 15% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Lincoln expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Lincoln runs about $917/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Lincoln offers exceptional value anchored by stable institutional employment. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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