Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 35.3 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 10.9% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 21.6% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.0% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 40.3% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1960 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 37.5% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.2% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 20.0% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.2% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Omaha
21.1 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 21.1 min | Gainesville + |
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 324 in Gainesville. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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