Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
906,480
Columbus +
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 291,932 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.4 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 9.2% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 29.0% | 4.2% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.5% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $293,233 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1960 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 35.1% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.6% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 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 $248,749. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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