Lincoln NE vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.8 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 80.9% | 16.5% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.9% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $48,416 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $25,509 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 10.9% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 24.7% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 17.4% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $482,675 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 24.1% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 35.9% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.6% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 20.0% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 23.4% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 18.2% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 54.9°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 46.3 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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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