Omaha NE vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 190,214 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 68.8% | 40.7% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $66,772 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $36,694 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $64,538 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.4% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 20.1% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 34.7% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $429,449 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 41.2% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.5% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 19.6% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.6% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.4 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Omaha. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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