Lincoln NE vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.5 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 80.9% | 53.2% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.9% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 15.8% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $297,021 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 53.2% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1992 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.1 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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).
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