Lincoln, NE, known as 'The Star City,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in southeastern Nebraska, Lincoln is a large city that serves as the state capital and a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Omaha and Kansas City enhance its status as a central point in the region. Lincoln's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Lincoln is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Nebraska State Capitol, the historic Haymarket District, and the scenic Sunken Gardens. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Pioneer Park Nature Center to the bustling SouthPointe Pavilions, known for its shopping and dining. Lincoln's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Midwestern cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Lincoln Arts Festival and the Celebrate Lincoln Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Lincoln's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Nebraska-Lincoln contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Lincoln is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Lied Center for Performing Arts and the Sheldon Museum of Art are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Lincoln provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Lincoln’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Nebraska Cornhuskers (NCAA), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Lincoln include education, healthcare, and technology, with significant employers such as Bryan Health and the State of Nebraska driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making commuting convenient for residents.
Amenities
Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.
Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Nothing Found
This area did not exhibit any cons, as none of the categories were rated low enough.
Lincoln is a highly populated city located in the state of Nebraska. The city has a population of 286,388 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Lincoln is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. Lincoln could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 33 years old is below the nation’s average. Lincoln is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 50%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Lincoln is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Lincoln could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Nebraska if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Lincoln, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, commute, employment and more.
With a livability score of 83 out of 100, Lincoln is ranked #714 in the United States and #7 in Nebraska. Clearly, Lincoln is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. The cherry on top is that Lincoln also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Lincoln ranks well for amenities (A+), cost of living (A+), education (B+) and housing (A+) On a more negative note, Lincoln does not have favorable ranks for the following: crime (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
If you're living in Lincoln, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Lincoln an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Nebraska State Capitol, Sunken Gardens, and Lincoln Children's Zoo.
Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Lincoln, the unemployment rate stands at 2.48%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Lincoln apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Lincoln real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Lincoln. Median real estate prices in Lincoln come in at $180,400, which is 31.4% higher than the Nebraska average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Lincoln, the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 20% higher than the Nebraska average.
| Statistic | Lincoln | Nebraska | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 18min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.7% | 81.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.2% | 9.4% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.1% | 0.7% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.0% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.2% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.1% | 4.3% | 4.6% |
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