Omaha NE vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.5 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 68.8% | 61.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 6.6% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 8.2% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $871,599 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 44.3% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 383 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 3409 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 15.3% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 52.6°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 37.5 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.8 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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