Omaha NE vs San Marcos TX — 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 99,507 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 5.8% | Omaha + |
| White | 68.8% | 66.6% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 4.3% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.4% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $64,146 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $33,835 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $63,758 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 24.9% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $313,452 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 442 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2339 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 22.3% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 19.7% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 68.5°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 35.7 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
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 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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