Omaha NE vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 287,339 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 39.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 68.8% | 53.2% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 9.0% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $63,758 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $507,575 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 56.6% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 442 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2339 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Plano, TX | 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.6 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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