Eugene OR 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)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
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
Eugene
177,520
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 78.9% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 1.8% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 8.8% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $39,187 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 40.9% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 35.1% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.5% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.6% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 20.6% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.5% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Lincoln
20.0 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.0 min | Eugene + |
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 355 in Eugene. 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, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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