Cambridge MA 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)
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
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
Cambridge
117,794
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Cambridge +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 33.4 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 9.2% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 10.5% | 4.2% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 4.5% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 8.8% | Cambridge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $69,991 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $39,187 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $66,354 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 12.6% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 40.9% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1960 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Cambridge +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 35.1% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 9.5% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 9.6% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 20.6% | Cambridge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 12.5% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | 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.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, 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 326 in Cambridge. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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