Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Omaha
68.8%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 74.3% | 68.8% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 11.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 4.0% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Omaha
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.2% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 40.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Columbia +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.5% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.2% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.0% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.2% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Omaha
21.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 21.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, 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 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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