Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Evansville +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 77.1% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 13.5% | 4.2% | Evansville + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $293,233 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1960 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Lincoln
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Evansville +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 20.6% | Evansville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Evansville. 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, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
Compare More Cities
Evansville, IN vs New York, NYEvansville, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Evansville, INEvansville, IN vs Houston, TXEvansville, IN vs Phoenix, AZEvansville, IN vs Philadelphia, PA