Omaha NE vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Saint Paul
307,762
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 307,762 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 68.8% | 53.2% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 9.1% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $41,594 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.9% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $297,021 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 53.2% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1992 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Saint Paul, MN | 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 +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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).
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