Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 291,932 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 11.7% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 76.8% | 4.2% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $293,233 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1960 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 20.6% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 51.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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