Lincoln NE vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 102,866 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.9 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 8.9% | Lincoln + |
| White | 80.9% | 54.1% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.7% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $52,512 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $29,511 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $58,697 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 6.0% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 22.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 29.4% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 370 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 39.7% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 20.3% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 18.2% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 38.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 21.6 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. 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, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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