Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Omaha
488,197
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 488,197 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 10.9% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 28.4% | 11.8% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 4.0% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 15.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Omaha
$42,515
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $72,708 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $42,515 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $66,354 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 40.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1960 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 37.5% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 20.0% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.2% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 51.1°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, 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 344 in Chicago. 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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