Omaha NE vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 176,666 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.7 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 68.8% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 11.8% | 1.6% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.5% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $71,900 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $36,477 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $63,691 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.3% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.7% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 31.4% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $438,754 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 55.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 355 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 3001 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 41.4% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.7% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.8% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 53.0°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 39.7 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.5 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, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. 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, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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