Omaha NE vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 68.8% | 58.2% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 5.0% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.1% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $54,546 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $31,152 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $59,120 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.4% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 18.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 30.2% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $324,946 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 51.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.5% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 18.3% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.7% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 69.8°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.9 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, 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 Tucson. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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