Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 33.4 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 9.2% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 21.6% | 4.2% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.5% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 40.9% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1960 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 35.1% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.5% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 20.6% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.5% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 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 324 in Gainesville. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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