Lincoln NE vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.1 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 80.9% | 29.0% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 2.9% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
San Jose
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.7% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $1,452,609 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.1% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 61.5°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Jose, 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 Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 30.4 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. 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 Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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