Omaha NE vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 11,626 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 68.8% | 59.6% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 4.7% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.6% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Peoria
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $33,805 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.8% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 27.6% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Peoria
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 344 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.5% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.8% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.1% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 38.0 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 34.4 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. 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, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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