Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Omaha
488,197
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 488,197 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.3 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 10.9% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 29.0% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.0% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $297,017 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1960 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 37.5% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.0% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.0% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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