Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Omaha
68.8%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 83.6% | 68.8% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Omaha
$42,515
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Omaha
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Omaha
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $72,708 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $42,515 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.2% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.8% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 40.3% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 57.7% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Omaha
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Boise, ID | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 294 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1960 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Omaha
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Omaha
30.6 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 51.1°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 30.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Omaha
21.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Omaha. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
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