Lincoln NE vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 105,460 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.6 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 5.1% | Lincoln + |
| White | 80.9% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 4.2% | 1.4% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.7% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 7.5% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $35,235 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.9% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 12.9% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 24.8% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $414,734 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane Valley, 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%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Spokane Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 35.1% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.1% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 17.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 22.4 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, 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 Spokane Valley. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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