Lincoln NE vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 268,959 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.3 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 80.9% | 63.5% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 3.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $62,696 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.0% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 35.7% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $570,934 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 49.4% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 460 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2417 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Reno
9.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.5% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.0% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 18.9% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.8% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 53.0°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 22.3 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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