Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Lincoln
80.9%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 83.6% | 80.9% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 8.8% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $69,991 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $39,187 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 40.9% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 55.8% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Lincoln
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 294 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1960 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Lincoln
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | 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
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 51.6°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 29.0 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. 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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