Grand Rapids MI 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 Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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 Rapids
197,768
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 33.4 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 9.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 17.9% | 4.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 8.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1960 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 20.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 51.6°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 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 471 in Grand Rapids. 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
Grand Rapids, MI vs New York, NYGrand Rapids, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Rapids, MIGrand Rapids, MI vs Houston, TXGrand Rapids, MI vs Phoenix, AZGrand Rapids, MI vs Philadelphia, PA