Lincoln NE vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 153,455 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.1 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 80.9% | 30.4% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 1.5% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.1% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $2,144,024 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 43.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 503 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2388 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sunnyvale, CA | 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 +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 25.3 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 503 in Sunnyvale. 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, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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