Lincoln NE vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 98,677 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.0 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 7.5% | Lincoln + |
| White | 80.9% | 57.5% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.1% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 8.6% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $52,671 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $34,792 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 19.7% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 28.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 51.7% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 41.9% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.9% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.4% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.0% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.7% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 56.0°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 44.5 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 21.6 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. 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, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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