Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 9.2% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 2.2% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 4.5% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $69,991 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $39,187 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $66,354 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 12.6% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 40.9% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Lincoln
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 35.1% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 9.5% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 15.2% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 9.6% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.6% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 12.5% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | 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.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, 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 383 in Bellevue. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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