Lincoln NE vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Vancouver
70.6%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 192,696 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.5 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 80.9% | 70.6% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 3.1% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.6% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 31.5% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $510,577 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 49.9% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 383 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 3409 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Vancouver
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 36.2% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.9% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 19.1% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 52.1°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 41.6 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 25.1 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 383 in Vancouver. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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