Omaha NE vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 68.8% | 36.1% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $60,698 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $37,669 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $65,080 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 8.4% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 22.0% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 34.6% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 52.3% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 319 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 57.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 48.5 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 34.5 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Omaha, NELos Angeles, CA vs Omaha, NEChicago, IL vs Omaha, NEHouston, TX vs Omaha, NEOmaha, NE vs Phoenix, AZOmaha, NE vs San Antonio, TX