El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 291,932 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 9.2% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 3.6% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 8.8% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $293,233 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 55.8% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.1% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 20.6% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.5% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 29.0 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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