Omaha, Nebraska
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Omaha.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Omaha?
Omaha planning snapshot: population 489,265, housing index 81 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog), median home $230,100, median rent $1,150, and income near $72,708. Expect 86°F summer highs, 18°F winter lows, and about 20-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 612.8 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 81U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $230,100U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,150U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $72,708U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.1%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 20 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 612.8per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 86°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Omaha compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 489,265City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $72,708Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year7% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 81ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year19% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $230,100City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year24% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,150City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year15% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.1%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 20 min20% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3327% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 612.8annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)Near U.S. avg (586.6)U.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3643.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)18% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 86°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (87°F)U.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 18°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals16.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 31.9 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (33 in)U.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 262As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (268)U.S. 268
Population trend
Omaha grew 6.4% from 459,659 in 2010 to 489,265 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Omaha expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Omaha runs 19 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 81 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $230,100 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,150 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Omaha?
Budget first around $1,150/month rent or $230,100 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $230,100
- Median rent $1,150/month
- Median household income $72,708
What is the job market like in Omaha?
Labor-market context for Omaha: unemployment 3.1% and median income $72,708. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.1% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $72,708
How long is the typical commute in Omaha?
Plan on roughly 20 minutes each way in Omaha. Walk Score estimates around 33 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 20 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 33/100
Is Omaha safer than similar U.S. cities?
Omaha's FBI-derived violent rate (~612.8/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 612.8 per 100k
- Property 3643.9 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Omaha?
Omaha's climate profile: 86°F summer peaks, 18°F winter mornings, 31.9" annual rainfall, and 262 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 86°F
- Winter low 18°F
- 31.9 in rain · 262 sunny days
Plains weather extremes and a steady agribusiness economy set expectations. Winter lows around 18°F mean heating costs and snow logistics belong on the checklist. Average one-way commute time is about 20 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 33/100. Labor-market readings near 3.1% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Violent-offense rates near 612.8 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
About 489,265 people live in Omaha, NE. With median income around $72,708 and a cost index of 81, the market reads among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs. Entry home prices around $230,100 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Omaha sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Omaha with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Omaha city, 1600000US3137000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Douglas County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014942 OMAHA EPPLEY AIRFIELD) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10