Rows tagged local are specific to Lincoln (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Lincoln, NE. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district Lincoln Public Schools · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
91.9
metro-area
#56 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
96.5
metro-area
#98 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.23
metro-area
#55 of 200 metros
Median household income
$67,846
local
#2301 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$36,331
local
#2481 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
34.4 years
metro-area
#21 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
40.6%
metro-area
#39 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
8.1%
metro-area
#103 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
59.5%
metro-area
#179 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.30%
local
#630 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+4.8%
local
#1313 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$230,400
local
#838 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.4×
local
#1144 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+4.1%
metro-area
#31 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$136
local
#1011 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$998
local
#427 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
931
Median days on market
7
metro-area
#18 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
11.5%
state
#148 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.97%
state
#53 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
5.20%
Capital gains tax
5.20%
state
#123 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.62%
local
#2427 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$3,722
local
#1640 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
79.1 years
metro-area
#33 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,600
state
#65 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
7.2%
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
69
metro-area
#129 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$12,000
state
#110 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$150
state
#125 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
2.27% of value (~$636/yr)
state
#184 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
10
Avg commute to work
19 min
local
#114 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
76.3%
metro-area
#119 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
16.5%
metro-area
#4 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
13.3¢/kWh
state
#3 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$120
state
#3 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.10/gal
state
#50 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$79
state
#164 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$108
state
#115 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$75
state
#16 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$3,600
state
#164 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#51 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
87.3 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#79 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$650
state
#41 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
41
metro-area
#50 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,100
metro-area
#99 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
95%
state
#27 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,100
metro-area
#176 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
35
metro-area
#109 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
4
metro-area
#163 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
88°F
metro-area
#98 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
14°F
metro-area
#185 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
28.0"
metro-area
#45 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
25.0"
metro-area
#135 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
62%
metro-area
#64 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
5b
Frost window
05-10 → 10-10
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
330
state
#43 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,100
state
#95 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
37
metro-area
#128 of 200 metros
Parks
21
Hiking areas
7
Golf courses
18
Shooting ranges
6
Lakes
3
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.