Lincoln NE vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.6 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 80.9% | 51.8% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $65,328 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.7% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 15.9% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $376,530 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 50.2% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 324 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.4% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.9% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 73.4°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 46.3 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 26.8 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, 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 324 in Tampa. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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