Lansing MI 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)
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
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
Lansing
112,546
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 9.2% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 23.4% | 4.2% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.5% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.8% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $293,233 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1960 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.6% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 20.6% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 51.6°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. 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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