Lincoln, NE vs Marshalltown, IA
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
Marshalltown
84.1
#8 nationally
Marshalltown leads in cost of living index (84 vs 90). Marshalltown leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 18.4 min). Marshalltown leads in median household income ($65,000 vs $63,126).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Marshalltown, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 78.7 (#164) | 84.1 (#8) |
| Population | 295,222 | 27,574 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $295,359 | $179,538 |
| Median Household Income | $63,126 | $65,000 |
| Average Commute | 18.4 min | 17.4 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 43 |
| Crime Level | Low | 8.1 |
| School Rating | 7.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 84 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+4.3 | R+15.6 |
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 →
B
84.1 Score
Marshalltown, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$179,538
Population
27,574
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
43
Midwest
View Marshalltown, IA →
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