Lincoln NE vs West Valley City UT — 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%
West Valley City, UT
Utah · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$473,364
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
West Valley City
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
West Valley City
N/A
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
West Valley City
N/A
White
Lincoln
80.9%
West Valley City
N/A
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
West Valley City
N/A
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
West Valley City
N/A
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
West Valley City
N/A
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 80.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
West Valley City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
West Valley City
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
West Valley City
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $60,713 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
West Valley City
$473,364
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $473,364 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
West Valley City
245
West Valley City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
West Valley City
1931
West Valley City +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 245 | West Valley City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1931 | West Valley City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
West Valley City
33.5%
West Valley City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
West Valley City
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
West Valley City
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
West Valley City
19.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
West Valley City
14.4%
West Valley City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
West Valley City
10.8%
West Valley City +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 33.5% | West Valley City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.6% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 19.5% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 19.8% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 14.4% | West Valley City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.8% | West Valley City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
West Valley City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | West Valley City, UT | 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
West Valley City
7.0 µg/m³
West Valley City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
West Valley City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | West Valley City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, West Valley City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. West Valley City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Valley City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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