Lincoln NE vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 72,528 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 41.9 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 80.9% | 16.2% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.2% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Mount Vernon
35.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 6.9% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 13.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 35.0% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $579,771 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 42.1% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Mount Vernon
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 434 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Mount Vernon
16.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Mount Vernon
12.8%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.6% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 16.3% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.8% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mount Vernon, NY | 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 +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 38.6 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, 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 434 in Mount Vernon. 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, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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