Fort Worth TX 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 Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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 Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Lincoln
33.4
Tie
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 291,932 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.4 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 9.2% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 47.7% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 19.5% | 4.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 4.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 8.8% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $69,991 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 55.8% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Fort Worth +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 35.1% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 20.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, 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 442 in Fort Worth. 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, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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