Fremont 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)
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
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
Fremont
228,518
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Fremont
19.4%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Fremont
2.9%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 50.1% | 9.2% | Fremont + |
| White | 19.4% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 2.9% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 62.5% | 4.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.8% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $176,350 | $69,991 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $73,378 | $39,187 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $66,354 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 12.6% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.7% | 40.9% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,538,830 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 55.8% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fremont, 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
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
Lincoln
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 35.1% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 15.2% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.9% | 9.6% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 20.6% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 12.5% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
59.6°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.6°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 29.0 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fremont
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fremont, 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
Fremont
33.9 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, 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 Fremont. 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, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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