Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 291,932 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 9.2% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 6.7% | 4.2% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 4.5% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 8.8% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $66,354 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 20.6% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 29.0 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
23.7 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
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 503 in Fresno. 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
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA