Lincoln NE vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 147,649 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.5 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 80.9% | 55.5% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.7% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $53,328 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $30,409 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 8.6% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 21.9% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 23.2% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 53.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 344 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 44.7% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.4% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 19.0% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.0% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 18.1% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 36.2 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 22.7 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. 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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