Lincoln NE vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.5 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 80.9% | 61.8% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 8.2% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $871,599 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 44.3% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 383 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 3409 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 15.3% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 52.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 37.5 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 28.8 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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