Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
80.9%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 291,932 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 80.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 4.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
3.3%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $69,991 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $39,187 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 40.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 35.1% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.6% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.6% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.5% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Lincoln
20.0 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 398 in Asheville. Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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