Lincoln NE vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 205,501 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.1 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 80.9% | 58.0% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $67,544 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $35,825 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 6.4% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 19.8% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 34.1% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $435,532 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 42.4% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 326 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 35.3% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.4% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 19.9% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 48.1 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 27.3 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, 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 326 in Worcester. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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