Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.3 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 10.9% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 20.4% | 11.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.0% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $297,017 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 57.7% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.0% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | 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 kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. 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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