Lincoln NE
Nebraska · Pop. 294,856
Lincoln, NE: median household income of $71,867, median rent of $1,086/mo, 3.3% unemployment. Our verdict: Solid Choice.
Score Breakdown
Key Metrics
Median Income
$71,867
per year
Median Rent
$1,086
per month
Median Home
$264k
home value
Unemployment
3.3%
of labor force
Poverty Rate
12.7%
below poverty line
Avg. Commute
18 min
one way
City Reality Check balanced
"Lincoln, NE Reality Check"
In Lincoln, the rent-to-income burden runs around 18% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $71,867 and median rent is $1,086/month. 45% of renters are cost-burdened (30%+ of income on housing). Landlords are winning; everyone else is treading water. Median home value: $264,000 — that's 3.7× the median income. Employment picture: 3.32% unemployment — a healthy job market. Poverty rate: 12.7%. Average commute: 18 minutes — mercifully short. Lincoln was founded in 1856 — that's 170 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 99.1 sq miles at 2,977 people/sq mile — spread out. Elevation: 1,175 ft — elevated terrain. Known as: "Star City". RoastMyCity overall score: 74/100 — Solid Choice.