Lincoln NE vs Naperville IL — 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%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Naperville
64.5%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 149,424 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 40.1 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 80.9% | 64.5% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 7.4% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Naperville
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $618,452 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Naperville
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 344 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.7% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Naperville, IL | 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 +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 33.8 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, 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 344 in Naperville. 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, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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