Lincoln NE vs Little Rock AR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 202,739 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 7.9% | Lincoln + |
| White | 80.9% | 46.4% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.0% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Little Rock
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $60,583 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $53,714 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 16.4% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 54.2% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 660 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2507 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 40.5% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.1% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.5% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.3% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 62.7°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 50.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 20.0 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. 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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