Cheyenne WY 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Lincoln
80.9%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Cheyenne +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 89.9% | 80.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 8.8% | Cheyenne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $39,187 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $66,354 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 12.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 55.8% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Lincoln
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 294 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 1960 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 35.1% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 20.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 51.6°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 29.0 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Lincoln
20.0 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 20.0 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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