Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 291,932 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 27.4% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 60.0% | 4.2% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $39,187 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $66,354 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $293,233 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1960 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.6% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | 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
Baltimore
31.6 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. 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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