Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 9.2% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 5.3% | 4.2% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 4.5% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.8% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $69,991 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $39,187 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $66,354 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 12.6% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 55.8% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1960 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.5% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.6% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 51.6°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 29.0 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, 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 780 in Anchorage. 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, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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