Omaha NE vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.0 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 68.8% | 50.4% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 5.7% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.9% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $1,006,261 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 47.6% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 16.5% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 61.6°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Diego, 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 +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.9 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. 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, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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