Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 49.9% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 39.5% | 4.2% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 40.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $293,233 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 35.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 20.6% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Lincoln
20.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 20.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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