Lincoln NE vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 186,419 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 80.9% | 60.1% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $59,120 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.7% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 16.2% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $468,328 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 41.6% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 450 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2150 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Tempe
18.3%
Tempe +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 16.6% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.7% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 18.3% | Tempe + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 71.3°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 23.2 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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