Lincoln NE vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 80.9% | 61.6% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.7% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 16.4% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $334,719 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 48.0% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1992 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Minneapolis
19.8%
Minneapolis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.1% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 19.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.7% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 30.6 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.2 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. 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, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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