Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Newark
16.5%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.3 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 10.9% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 46.7% | 11.8% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 15.6% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $66,354 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Omaha
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 294 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1960 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 37.5% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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