Lincoln NE vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Provo
78.6%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 114,303 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 80.9% | 78.6% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 1.1% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.2% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Provo
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $62,800 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $26,755 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $60,713 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.7% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 22.3% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $486,127 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 39.9% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 21.5% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 53.4°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Provo
20.1 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 20.1 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, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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