Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Omaha
488,197
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Houston
35.5%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 488,197 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 10.9% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 22.9% | 11.8% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.0% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 15.6% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $297,017 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 20.0% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.2% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TX