Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 9.2% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 17.1% | 4.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 8.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $66,354 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Lincoln
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 294 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1960 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 35.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 20.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 29.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 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, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. 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, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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