Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Kent
67.2%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 9.2% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 2.3% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 8.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $69,991 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $66,354 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 55.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 35.1% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.5% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.6% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.5% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 383 in Kent. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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