Lincoln NE vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 102,558 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 7.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 80.9% | 70.1% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.7% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $58,568 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $31,987 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $63,758 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 3.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 17.4% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 25.0% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita Falls, 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 +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Wichita Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 35.4% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.8% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.9% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 17.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.9% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 63.4°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. 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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