Lincoln NE vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 133,473 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 41.5 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 80.9% | 78.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 2.4% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $37,315 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $58,052 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 6.2% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 31.2% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $309,742 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 471 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 36.0% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 15.3% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sterling Heights, MI | 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
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 27.5 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, 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 471 in Sterling Heights. 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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