Omaha NE vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 316,241 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 68.8% | 39.2% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 6.0% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $33,716 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.0% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 25.7% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $648,603 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 56.3% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 503 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2388 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.5% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.6% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 66.8°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 34.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 503 in Riverside. 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, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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