Is Bellevue or Lincoln Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bellevue is safer than Lincoln (Safety Score 65/100 vs 23/100), with a total crime rate of 1,231 per 100,000 versus 2,795 for Lincoln — 56% lower. Bellevue has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellevue has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Lincoln is 4.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bellevue — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lincoln — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellevue, NE
Lincoln, NE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellevue | Lincoln | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,231.3 | 2,795.1 | -1,563.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 99.2 | 349.2 | -250.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.7 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 72.4 | 63.6 | +8.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 11.0 | 40.6 | -29.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 15.8 | 241.0 | -225.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,132.1 | 2,445.8 | -1,313.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 97.6 | 262.3 | -164.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 910.1 | 1,863.7 | -953.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 124.4 | 319.8 | -195.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellevue or Lincoln safer?
Bellevue is safer with a total crime rate of 1,231 per 100K vs 2,795 for Lincoln — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellevue has a violent crime rate of 99.2 per 100K while Lincoln has 349.2. Bellevue has lower violent crime.
About Bellevue, NE
Bellevue, Nebraska, the state's oldest city, borders the Missouri River just south of Omaha. It's home to Offutt Air Force Base, a major employer and a hub for military intelligence. With a safety score of 65/100 and a population coverage of 63,510, Bellevue has a total crime rate of 1,231.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Lincoln, NE
Lincoln, Nebraska, the state capital, is home to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, known for its Cornhuskers football. This city of over 290,000 residents lies in the southeastern part of the state. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 295,808, Lincoln has a total crime rate of 2,795.1 per 100,000 residents.