Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Chandler +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 9.2% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 5.2% | 4.2% | Chandler + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 4.5% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 8.8% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $69,991 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $39,187 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 12.6% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 40.9% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 55.8% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Lincoln
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 35.1% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.5% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 15.2% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 20.6% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.5% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, 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 450 in Chandler. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
Compare More Cities
Chandler, AZ vs New York, NYChandler, AZ vs Los Angeles, CAChandler, AZ vs Chicago, ILChandler, AZ vs Houston, TXChandler, AZ vs Phoenix, AZChandler, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA