New York NY 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Omaha
488,197
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Omaha
10.9%
White
New York
35.9%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 488,197 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 10.9% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 22.7% | 11.8% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 4.0% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 15.6% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Omaha
$42,515
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | New York, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $72,708 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $42,515 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $66,354 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 40.3% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | New York, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | New York, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1960 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
New York +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | New York, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 37.5% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.0% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 20.0% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.2% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | New York, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | New York, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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