Glendale 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)

Glendale, CA

California · Population: 192,270

  • Median HH Income$84,262
  • Median Home Price$1,205,826
  • Unemployment8.2%
  • Bachelor's+45.5%

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
Glendale
192,270
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Lincoln
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Lincoln
40.9%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Lincoln
12.5%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Lincoln
29.0 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +

Which City is Right for You?

Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 Glendale. 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, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.

Compare More Cities

About Glendale & Lincoln