Lincoln NE vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 100,731 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.0 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 80.9% | 57.5% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $56,025 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $30,475 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 7.6% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 19.9% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 16.8% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $439,767 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 40.0% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 326 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 36.3% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.2% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 22.0% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.1% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 21.4% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 51.8°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 51.9 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 27.2 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, 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 326 in New Bedford. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
Compare More Cities
Lincoln, NE vs New York, NYLincoln, NE vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lincoln, NEHouston, TX vs Lincoln, NELincoln, NE vs Phoenix, AZLincoln, NE vs Philadelphia, PA