Lincoln NE vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.9 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 80.9% | 39.1% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 4.1% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 6.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 14.5% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $580,173 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 41.1% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 398 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1999 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Lincoln +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 24.0% | Lincoln + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 32.8 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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