Lincoln NE vs Sioux Falls SD — 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%

Sioux Falls, SD

South Dakota · Population: N/A

Median HH IncomeN/A
Median Home Price$333,043
UnemploymentN/A
Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population

Lincoln

291,932

Sioux Falls

N/A

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Lincoln

N/A

Sioux Falls

N/A

Median Age

Lincoln

33.4

Sioux Falls

N/A

Foreign Born

Lincoln

9.2%

Sioux Falls

N/A

White

Lincoln

80.9%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Black

Lincoln

4.2%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Asian

Lincoln

4.5%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Hispanic

Lincoln

8.8%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Spanish at Home

Lincoln

N/A

Sioux Falls

N/A

Metric	Lincoln, NE	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
Population	291,932	N/A	-
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	33.4	N/A	-
Foreign Born	9.2%	N/A	-
White	80.9%	N/A	-
Black	4.2%	N/A	-
Asian	4.5%	N/A	-
Hispanic	8.8%	N/A	-
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Lincoln

$69,991

Sioux Falls

N/A

Per Capita Income

Lincoln

$39,187

Sioux Falls

N/A

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Lincoln

$66,354

Sioux Falls

$69,795

Sioux Falls +

Unemployment Rate

Lincoln

3.3%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Poverty Rate

Lincoln

12.6%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Bachelor's Degree+

Lincoln

40.9%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Metric	Lincoln, NE	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
Median HH Income	$69,991	N/A	-
Per Capita Income	$39,187	N/A	-
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$66,354	$69,795	Sioux Falls +
Unemployment Rate	3.3%	N/A	-
Poverty Rate	12.6%	N/A	-
Bachelor's Degree+	40.9%	N/A	-

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Lincoln

$293,233

Lincoln +

Sioux Falls

$333,043

Homeownership Rate

Lincoln

55.8%

Sioux Falls

N/A

Metric	Lincoln, NE	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$293,233	$333,043	Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate	55.8%	N/A	-

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Lincoln

294

Lincoln +

Sioux Falls

405

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Lincoln

1960

Sioux Falls

1873

Sioux Falls +

Metric	Lincoln, NE	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	294	405	Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	1960	1873	Sioux Falls +

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Lincoln

35.1%

Lincoln +

Sioux Falls

36.9%

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Lincoln

9.5%

Lincoln +

Sioux Falls

10.5%

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Lincoln

15.2%

Lincoln +

Sioux Falls

15.7%

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Lincoln

9.6%

Sioux Falls

8.9%

Sioux Falls +

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Lincoln

20.6%

Sioux Falls

19.8%

Sioux Falls +

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Lincoln

12.5%

Lincoln +

Sioux Falls

13.9%

Metric	Lincoln, NE	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	35.1%	36.9%	Lincoln +
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	9.5%	10.5%	Lincoln +
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	15.2%	15.7%	Lincoln +
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	9.6%	8.9%	Sioux Falls +
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	20.6%	19.8%	Sioux Falls +
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	12.5%	13.9%	Lincoln +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Lincoln

51.6°F

Sioux Falls

45.0°F

Sioux Falls +

Annual Precipitation

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Lincoln

29.0 in

Sioux Falls

27.7 in

Sioux Falls +

Metric	Lincoln, NE	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal	51.6°F	45.0°F	Sioux Falls +
Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal	29.0 in	27.7 in	Sioux Falls +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg

EPA AQS (state-level est.)

Lincoln

7.6 µg/m³

Sioux Falls

7.3 µg/m³

Sioux Falls +

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Lincoln

75.0%

Sioux Falls

75.0%

Tie

Metric	Lincoln, NE	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.)	7.6 µg/m³	7.3 µg/m³	Sioux Falls +
Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50	75.0%	75.0%	Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Lincoln

20.0 min

Sioux Falls

N/A

Metric	Lincoln, NE	Sioux Falls, SD	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	20.0 min	N/A	-

Which City is Right for You?

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 405 in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.

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About Lincoln & Sioux Falls

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