Kansas City 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 291,932 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 57.8% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 25.8% | 4.2% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 8.8% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $39,187 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $293,233 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
38.5%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 20.6% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
23.4 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. 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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