Lincoln NE vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.2 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 80.9% | 69.7% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 4.4% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $59,120 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.6% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 31.5% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $435,670 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 450 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2150 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Mesa
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.6% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 15.5% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.0% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 71.8°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 26.7 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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