Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Bend
65.5%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Bend
2.8%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 9.2% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 2.8% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 4.5% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 8.8% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $69,991 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $39,187 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 12.6% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 40.9% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 35.1% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.5% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 9.6% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 20.6% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.5% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 51.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 29.0 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, 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 355 in Bend. 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, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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