Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Independence
72.2%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 72.2% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 10.8% | 4.2% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 8.8% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $293,233 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 55.8% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 20.6% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. 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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