Downey CA 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)
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
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
Downey
114,617
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Downey
21.0%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 9.2% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 0.4% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 8.8% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $66,354 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 35.1% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 20.6% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.5% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 29.0 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. 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, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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