Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 58.4% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 29.7% | 4.2% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $69,991 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $39,187 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 40.9% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $293,233 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 55.8% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1960 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Lincoln
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 20.6% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. 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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