Omaha NE vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Sparks
N/A
White
Omaha
68.8%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 68.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $62,696 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $530,668 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 460 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2417 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Sparks
18.7%
Sparks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.1% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.8% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 18.7% | Sparks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 52.4°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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