Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 9.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 28.8% | 4.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 8.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $69,991 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $39,187 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1960 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 35.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 20.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, 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 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Lauderdale, FL vs New York, NYFort Lauderdale, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Lauderdale, FLFort Lauderdale, FL vs Houston, TXFort Lauderdale, FL vs Phoenix, AZFort Lauderdale, FL vs Philadelphia, PA