Omaha NE vs Paterson NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Paterson
N/A
White
Omaha
68.8%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 68.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $527,542 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Paterson
37.5%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 37.5% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 16.1% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.6% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 28.6% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.4% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Omaha. Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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