Lincoln NE vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 118,578 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.5 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 5.7% | Lincoln + |
| White | 80.9% | 72.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.3% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $63,900 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $59,120 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.6% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 16.3% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 46.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Winston-Salem, NC | 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%
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 42.7% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.1% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.4% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.8% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.4% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 20.0 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. 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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