Albany NY vs Lincoln NE — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Albany
53.0%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 9.2% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 26.6% | 4.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 4.5% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 8.8% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $66,354 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 40.9% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1960 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.1% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.6% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.6% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.5% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 51.6°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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