Lincoln NE vs McKinney TX — 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
McKinney
148,848
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
McKinney
33.4
Tie
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
McKinney
3.0%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 148,848 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.4 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 80.9% | 37.8% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.0% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
McKinney
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
McKinney
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $71,843 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $29,291 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $63,758 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.8% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 18.5% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $487,346 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
McKinney
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
McKinney
2339
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 442 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2339 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
McKinney
15.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
McKinney
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
McKinney
18.3%
McKinney +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 33.9% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 15.7% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.9% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 18.3% | McKinney + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
McKinney
40.0 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 64.2°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 40.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 35.6 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, 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 442 in McKinney. 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, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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