Omaha NE vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 68,505 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.5 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 68.8% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 11.8% | 9.0% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.2% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 3.1% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $61,587 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.4% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $561,069 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 46.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.8% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 47.3 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.4 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Omaha. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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