Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Omaha
68.8%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.3 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 10.9% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 68.8% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 4.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Omaha
$42,515
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Omaha
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $72,708 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $42,515 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.2% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 40.3% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Madison, WI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1960 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Omaha
20.0%
Omaha +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 37.5% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.2% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.0% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 20.0% | Omaha + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 51.1°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, 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 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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