Lincoln NE vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Orem
77.1%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 86,973 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 80.9% | 77.1% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 1.9% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.6% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Orem
4.0%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $33,579 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $60,713 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.0% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 12.7% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 25.6% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $509,396 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.1% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 52.5°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.5 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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