Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 291,932 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.4 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 49.4% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 38.7% | 4.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 40.9% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $293,233 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1960 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Lincoln
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 20.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. 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, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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