Lincoln NE vs Wichita KS — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.7 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 80.9% | 66.6% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $63,072 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $35,958 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $61,860 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.7% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 15.9% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 30.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 449 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2174 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 39.5% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.7% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.9% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.3% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 57.0°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 32.6 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita, KS | 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 +
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 20.2 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. 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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