Omaha NE vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 220,482 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 68.8% | 59.4% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 10.5% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 13.1% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.3% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 33.5% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $496,966 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 56.5% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tacoma, 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%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.7% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 53.5°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 39.2 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 31.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 Tacoma. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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