Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Omaha
488,197
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 488,197 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.3 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 10.9% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 34.1% | 11.8% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 4.0% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 15.6% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Omaha
$42,515
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Omaha
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $72,708 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $42,515 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 12.8% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 40.3% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.5% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.2% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.0% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 20.0% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.2% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 398 in Charlotte. 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, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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