

Lincoln, NE vs Madison, WI
Madison, WI comes out ahead of Lincoln, NE on 22 of 33 statistics where one end is better, to 11. Lincoln, NE leads on Economics. Madison, WI leads on Crime & Safety.
33 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 11
- Avg. percentile
- 67
- Categories led
- 1
- Wins
- 22
- Avg. percentile
- 68
- Categories led
- 1
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | Lincoln, NE | Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,375 70th of 477 | 288,589 73rd of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $71,867 217th of 434 | $78,050 177th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $264,000 176th of 434 | $372,900 254th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 12.7% 177th of 434 | 16.4% 269th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 91.6 80th of 460 | 97.3 197th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $62,980 282nd of 460 | $70,990 128th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,086 tied 116th of 434 | $1,413 234th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 421.6 225th of 395 | 213.9 102nd of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Crime & SafetyMadison, WI · 5 statistics
- EconomicsLincoln, NE · 14 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | Lincoln, NE | Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 93.0 19th of 460 | 99.4 tied 233rd of 460 |
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 76.8 45th of 460 | 89.8 219th of 460 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 218.9 227th of 395 | 92.0 93rd of 395 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $62,980 282nd of 460 | $70,990 128th of 460 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $49,800 224th of 460 | $58,080 76th of 460 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 421.6 225th of 395 | 213.9 102nd of 395 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,086 tied 116th of 434 | $1,413 234th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 91.6 80th of 460 | 97.3 197th of 460 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 12.7% 177th of 434 | 16.4% 269th of 434 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 41.8% 138th of 434 | 59.9% 60th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $264,000 176th of 434 | $372,900 254th of 434 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 92.7% 166th of 434 | 91.3% 232nd of 434 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 84.2 152nd of 460 | 99.7 216th of 460 |
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 182.9 162nd of 395 | 136.8 109th of 395 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $71,867 217th of 434 | $78,050 177th of 434 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 18.4 72nd of 434 | 19.4 106th of 434 |
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 2.0 131st of 395 | 1.7 121st of 395 |
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 94.1 81st of 460 | 93.8 tied 64th of 460 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 1,892.3 213th of 395 | 1,877.1 211th of 395 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Lincoln, NE or Madison, WI?
- Madison, WI comes out ahead of Lincoln, NE on 22 of 33 statistics where one end is better, to 11. Lincoln, NE leads on Economics. Madison, WI leads on Crime & Safety. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Lincoln, NE or Madison, WI?
- Lincoln, NE has a population of 303,375 (70th of 477 US cities) and Madison, WI has 288,589 (73rd of 477).
- How do Lincoln, NE and Madison, WI compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Lincoln, NE $71,867 (217th of 434), Madison, WI $78,050 (177th of 434) among US cities. Madison, WI ranks better.
- How do Lincoln, NE and Madison, WI compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): Lincoln, NE $264,000 (176th of 434), Madison, WI $372,900 (254th of 434) among US cities. Lincoln, NE ranks better.
- Where does Lincoln, NE beat Madison, WI most clearly?
- Lincoln, NE ranks far ahead on Price Level (Other Services) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 93.0 vs 99.4; Price Level (Utilities) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 76.8 vs 89.8; Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): $1,086 vs $1,413.
- Where does Madison, WI beat Lincoln, NE most clearly?
- Madison, WI ranks far ahead on Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 92.0 vs 218.9; Average Annual Wage, All Jobs (Average Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS)): $70,990 vs $62,980; Median Annual Wage, All Jobs (Average Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS)): $58,080 vs $49,800.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Lincoln, NE or Madison, WI.