Davenport IA 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)
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Davenport
101,083
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Davenport
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Davenport
37.8
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Davenport
4.6%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Davenport
75.9%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Davenport
11.2%
Davenport +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Davenport
1.9%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Davenport
9.1%
Davenport +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Davenport
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,083 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 75.9% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 11.2% | 4.2% | Davenport + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 8.8% | Davenport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Davenport
$64,497
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Davenport
$36,583
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Davenport
$61,226
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Davenport
4.8%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Davenport
15.6%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Davenport
30.0%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,497 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,583 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,117 | $293,233 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 55.8% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
296
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1960 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
42.6%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
11.7%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Davenport
17.8%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Davenport
21.1%
Lincoln
20.6%
Lincoln +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Davenport
16.2%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.1% | 20.6% | Lincoln + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
49.3°F
Davenport +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
36.0 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.3°F | 51.6°F | Davenport + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.0 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Davenport
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Davenport
20.4 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Davenport. 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%.
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