El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Omaha
488,197
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Omaha
10.9%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 488,197 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.3 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 10.9% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 3.6% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 15.6% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $297,017 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 57.7% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 37.5% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 20.0% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Omaha
30.6 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 30.6 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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