Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.3 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 49.4% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 38.7% | 11.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 40.3% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $297,017 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1960 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 20.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. 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, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs New York, NYCincinnati, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs Philadelphia, PA