Elk Grove 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)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
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
Elk Grove
177,221
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 9.2% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 10.9% | 4.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 4.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 8.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $69,991 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $39,187 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $66,354 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 12.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 55.8% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Elk Grove, 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
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 35.1% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 9.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 20.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.5% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | 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.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, 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
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, 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 Elk Grove. 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, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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