Augusta 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)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
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
Augusta
201,504
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 32.8% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 56.5% | 4.2% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $293,233 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1960 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Lincoln
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
63.9°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
22.1 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. 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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