Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Omaha
68.8%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.3 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 10.9% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 68.8% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 11.8% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.0% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 40.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Omaha
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 294 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1960 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Omaha
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | 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
Lexington
55.6°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 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, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Omaha. 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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