Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 291,932 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 9.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 22.9% | 4.2% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.5% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 8.8% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $39,187 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $293,233 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 20.6% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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%.
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