Omaha NE vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 227,595 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 8.6% | Omaha + |
| White | 68.8% | 43.2% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.1% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 10.3% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $62,671 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.0% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 18.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $374,265 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 43.5% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.3% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.8% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 58.9°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 43.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.6 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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Omaha. 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, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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 Philadelphia, PA