Lincoln NE vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 135,806 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.2 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 80.9% | 49.1% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.9% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $708,498 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 47.5% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.3% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 52.3°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 53.2 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 30.1 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. 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, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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