Lincoln NE vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 6.6% | Lincoln + |
| White | 80.9% | 31.6% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.8% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 7.9% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $55,339 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $55,297 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 7.8% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 22.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 50.5% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 643 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2824 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
New Orleans
19.7%
New Orleans +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.1% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 19.4% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 19.7% | New Orleans + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 15.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 66.6 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.6 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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