Lincoln NE vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 9.1% | Lincoln + |
| White | 80.9% | 61.6% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 40.4% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $427,121 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 36.5% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.8% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 16.7% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 25.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. 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%.
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