Lincoln and Harrisburg-Carlisle receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | Lincoln | Harrisburg-Carlisle | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,337 | 604,155 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $75,049 | $80,919 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $40,917 | $43,785 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 244/sq mi | 373/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $273,500 | $253,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,082 | $1,212 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 59.6% | 68.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% | 3.6% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 0.3% | 2.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 41.4% | 35.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.7% | 10.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 2,088 | 1,549 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 6.1 | 2.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -13.1% | 23.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 89°F | 88°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 14°F | 25°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 41.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 6 mi | 18 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 20.8 min | 23.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.5 | 40.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Lincoln
Elevated or high exposure: hail, strong wind, tornado.
Harrisburg-Carlisle
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Your best match
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Full profiles: Lincoln, NE Metro Area · Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology