Durham 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Durham
44.0%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.3 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 10.9% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 34.4% | 11.8% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 4.0% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Omaha
$42,515
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Omaha
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Omaha
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $72,708 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $42,515 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 12.8% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 40.3% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Durham, 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
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Omaha
10.2%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 37.5% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.2% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.0% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.0% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, 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
Durham
24.3 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, 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 Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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