Omaha NE vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 161,993 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 68.8% | 21.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 1.4% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $28,813 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.7% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 15.5% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $751,711 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 47.0% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.4% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 22.4% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 57.3°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salinas, 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 +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.8 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. 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, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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