Lincoln NE vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 75,721 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.0 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 80.9% | 48.7% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 2.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 6.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.1% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $765,686 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 45.2% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 383 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 3409 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Renton
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 16.0% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 53.2°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 40.1 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 25.4 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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