Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 291,932 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 9.2% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 28.4% | 4.2% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 4.5% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 8.8% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $69,991 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $39,187 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $66,354 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 40.9% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1960 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 35.1% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 20.6% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.5% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 51.6°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, 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 344 in Chicago. 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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