Lincoln NE vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 203,888 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 80.9% | 70.5% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 2.7% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $60,713 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 3.8% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 13.4% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $580,126 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 46.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.3% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 52.8°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 21.3 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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