Lincoln NE vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Manchester
76.7%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 115,415 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.9 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 80.9% | 76.7% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 5.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Manchester
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 3.8% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 33.5% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $441,257 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 49.3% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.4% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.9% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 44.6 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 25.7 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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