Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Lincoln
80.9%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 82.8% | 80.9% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 8.8% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $69,991 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $39,187 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $66,354 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 12.6% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 40.9% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 55.8% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Lincoln
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Arvada +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 35.1% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.5% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.2% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.6% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 20.6% | Arvada + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.5% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 29.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, 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 512 in Arvada. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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