Lincoln NE vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Paterson
N/A
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 80.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $527,542 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 37.5% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.1% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.6% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 28.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.4% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Paterson, 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
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. 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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