Lincoln NE vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 115,396 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.6 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 80.9% | 21.4% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Richmond
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 7.0% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 13.7% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 32.6% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Richmond
52.5%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $608,357 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 52.5% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 503 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2388 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.9% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.8% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.9% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 58.5°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 37.7 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 503 in Richmond. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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