Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 9.2% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 10.2% | 4.2% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 8.8% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $39,187 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 55.8% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1960 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 35.1% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.6% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
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, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
Compare More Cities
Clearwater, FL vs New York, NYClearwater, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Clearwater, FLClearwater, FL vs Houston, TXClearwater, FL vs Phoenix, AZClearwater, FL vs Philadelphia, PA