Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 39.3% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 46.7% | 4.2% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $293,233 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1960 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 20.6% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, GA vs New York, NYColumbus, GA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, GAColumbus, GA vs Houston, TXColumbus, GA vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, GA vs Philadelphia, PA