Lincoln NE vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 229,228 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.2 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 6.1% | Lincoln + |
| White | 80.9% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 4.2% | 2.7% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.9% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 7.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $65,745 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $38,200 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 6.0% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 14.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 32.6% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $400,636 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane, 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%
Lincoln +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 35.3% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.6% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.7% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 22.6 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, 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. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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