Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 291,932 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 72.3% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 5.8% | 4.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 8.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $69,991 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $39,187 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $66,354 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 12.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 40.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 55.8% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 35.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 20.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.5% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 51.6°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 29.0 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 512 in Colorado Springs. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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