Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Athens
57.6%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.4 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 9.2% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 26.2% | 4.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 8.8% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 40.9% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1960 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Lincoln
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 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 392 in Athens. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
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