Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.4 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 9.2% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 7.4% | 4.2% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 4.5% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 8.8% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $69,991 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $39,187 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $66,354 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 40.9% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 35.1% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.6% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.6% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.5% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 29.0 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. 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, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Berkeley, CA vs New York, NYBerkeley, CA vs Los Angeles, CABerkeley, CA vs Chicago, ILBerkeley, CA vs Houston, TXBerkeley, CA vs Phoenix, AZBerkeley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA