Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Omaha
488,197
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Austin
59.9%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 488,197 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.3 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 10.9% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 7.5% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 4.0% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 15.6% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Omaha
$42,515
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Omaha
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $72,708 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $42,515 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 12.8% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 40.3% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Omaha
20.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.5% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.2% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 20.0% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.2% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. 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, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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