Lincoln NE vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.8 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 80.9% | 53.7% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.9% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $59,120 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.1% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 14.3% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 32.3% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $411,323 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 450 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2150 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.8% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 16.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 17.3% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 72.1°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 27.7 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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