Centennial CO 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)
Centennial, CO
Colorado · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$650,791
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
80.9%
Black
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 291,932 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 80.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 4.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Centennial
$76,653
Centennial +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
3.3%
Poverty Rate
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $69,991 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $39,187 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $66,354 | Centennial + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 40.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Centennial
$650,791
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $650,791 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Centennial
512
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Centennial
3234
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Centennial
23.1%
Centennial +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Centennial
7.3%
Centennial +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Centennial
13.9%
Centennial +
Lincoln
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Centennial
6.9%
Centennial +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Centennial
18.5%
Centennial +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Centennial
8.0%
Centennial +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 35.1% | Centennial + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 9.5% | Centennial + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.9% | 15.2% | Centennial + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 9.6% | Centennial + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 20.6% | Centennial + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.5% | Centennial + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Centennial
49.6°F
Centennial +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Centennial
17.4 in
Centennial +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6°F | 51.6°F | Centennial + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.4 in | 29.0 in | Centennial + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Centennial
6.2 µg/m³
Centennial +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Centennial
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Centennial + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Centennial
N/A
Lincoln
20.0 min
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 512 in Centennial. Centennial has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Centennial scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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