Lincoln NE vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 190,214 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 80.9% | 40.7% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $66,772 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $36,694 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $64,538 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 7.4% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 20.1% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 34.7% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $429,449 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 41.2% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 19.6% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 27.4 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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