Las Vegas NV 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)
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
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
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 291,932 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 9.2% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 11.9% | 4.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 8.8% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $69,991 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 35.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 20.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 29.0 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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