Lincoln NE vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 61,773 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.2 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 80.9% | 43.7% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.0% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Macon
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Macon
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $57,405 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 3.9% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 12.7% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 47.2% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 392 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 64.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 45.7 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 30.2 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
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