Lincoln NE vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 141,925 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 80.9% | 54.0% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.0% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $51,468 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $28,819 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $63,758 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.4% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 24.0% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 28.6% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 48.9% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 442 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2339 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 36.8% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.0% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 20.4% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 20.4% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 15.1% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 66.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 36.4 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. 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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