Lincoln NE vs New Haven CT — 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 132,893 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 80.9% | 36.8% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $53,771 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $34,482 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 7.7% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 25.0% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 37.7% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $330,564 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 28.4% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 37.9% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.7% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.9% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.7% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.2% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 52.2°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 47.1 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 23.0 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, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 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, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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