Lincoln NE vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 39.7 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 80.9% | 40.5% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 5.1% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.6% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $1,369,171 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 38.5% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
San Francisco
19.6%
San Francisco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.7% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 19.6% | San Francisco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 55.3°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Francisco, 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 +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 33.9 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. 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, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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