Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
80.9%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 291,932 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 80.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 4.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Lincoln
$66,354
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
3.3%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $69,991 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $39,187 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $66,354 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 40.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $293,233 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Lincoln
294
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Lincoln
1960
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 294 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1960 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Lincoln
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Grand Island +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 15.2% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 20.6% | Grand Island + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 51.6°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 29.0 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Lincoln
20.0 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Grand Island. 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%.
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