Omaha NE vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 91,535 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 42.9 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 68.8% | 66.9% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 4.9% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.1% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $865,610 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 28.8% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.0% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.7% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 20.7% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 65.6°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Santa Ana, 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 +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.0 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. 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, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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