Omaha NE vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 242,169 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 49.2 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 68.8% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 11.8% | 2.0% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 9.4% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $59,120 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $858,307 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 450 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2150 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 72.5°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.2 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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