Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Broken Arrow +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Broken Arrow +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Broken Arrow +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 68.4% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 5.9% | 4.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 4.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 8.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Broken Arrow +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $69,991 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $39,187 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 12.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Broken Arrow +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $293,233 | Broken Arrow + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 55.8% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 35.1% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 20.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, while broken Arrow offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,352. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Broken Arrow. 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, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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