Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Omaha
488,197
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 488,197 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.3 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 10.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 6.7% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 4.0% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 15.6% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $66,354 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Omaha
37.5%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 37.5% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 20.0% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Omaha
30.6 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 30.6 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
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 503 in Fresno. 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%.
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