Lincoln NE vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 275,568 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 80.9% | 73.0% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $61,837 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 16.2% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $429,253 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 46.6% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 309 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Lincoln +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 16.5% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 20.8% | Lincoln + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 37.3 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 21.2 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, 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 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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