Lincoln NE vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 146,211 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 80.9% | 51.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $45,845 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $27,570 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 7.4% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 29.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 30.5% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 41.3% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 434 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 41.5% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.7% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 20.8% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.7% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.1% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 41.5 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Lincoln, NE vs New York, NYLincoln, NE vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lincoln, NEHouston, TX vs Lincoln, NELincoln, NE vs Phoenix, AZLincoln, NE vs Philadelphia, PA