Lakeland FL 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 9.2% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 8.8% | 4.2% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 12.6% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 55.8% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1960 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 20.6% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, 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 324 in Lakeland. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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