Lincoln NE vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Portland
80.1%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 68,505 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.5 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 80.9% | 80.1% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.2% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 3.1% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $61,587 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.4% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $561,069 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 46.7% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.8% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 47.3 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 21.4 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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