Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Omaha
488,197
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 488,197 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.3 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 10.9% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 28.1% | 11.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $297,017 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1960 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Omaha
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
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