Is Lincoln or Scottsbluff Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lincoln is safer than Scottsbluff (Safety Score 23/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 2,795 per 100,000 versus 3,371 for Scottsbluff — 17% lower. Lincoln has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Scottsbluff has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Lincoln is 19.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lincoln — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Scottsbluff — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lincoln, NE
Scottsbluff, NE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lincoln | Scottsbluff | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,795.1 | 3,371.2 | -576.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.2 | 588.0 | -238.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 0.0 | +2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 63.6 | 78.4 | -14.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 40.6 | 6.5 | +34.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 241.0 | 503.1 | -262.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,445.8 | 2,783.2 | -337.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.3 | 235.2 | +27.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,863.7 | 2,430.4 | -566.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 319.8 | 117.6 | +202.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lincoln or Scottsbluff safer?
Lincoln is safer with a total crime rate of 2,795 per 100K vs 3,371 for Scottsbluff — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lincoln has a violent crime rate of 349.2 per 100K while Scottsbluff has 588.0. Lincoln has lower violent crime.
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.
About Scottsbluff, NE
Scottsbluff, Nebraska, a city named for Hiram Scott, a fur trapper who died there, is a regional hub in the Nebraska Panhandle. This agricultural community of around 15,000 residents is known for its proximity to Scotts Bluff National Monument. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 15,306, Scottsbluff has a total crime rate of 3,371.2 per 100,000 residents.