Modesto CA 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 10.9% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 4.7% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 4.0% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 15.6% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $72,708 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $66,354 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 57.7% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 37.5% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 20.0% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.2% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Omaha
30.6 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 30.6 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 503 in Modesto. 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, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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