Lincoln NE vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Plymouth
74.8%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Plymouth
5.0%
Plymouth +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 79,526 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 40.7 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 80.9% | 74.8% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 5.0% | Plymouth + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 4.7% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $514,358 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1992 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Plymouth
18.5%
Plymouth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 18.5% | Plymouth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Plymouth, MN | 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 +
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.5 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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