Albany NY vs Omaha NE — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Albany
53.0%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.3 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 10.9% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 26.6% | 11.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 4.0% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $66,354 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 40.3% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Albany, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1960 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 37.5% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.2% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.0% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.0% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.2% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 51.1°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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