Omaha NE vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 107,699 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 4.7% | Omaha + |
| White | 68.8% | 49.6% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.6% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 5.2% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $48,536 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $31,324 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $51,690 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.0% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 23.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 38.1% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 45.1% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 400 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 42.6% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 21.3% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.7% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 65.0°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 55.0 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Omaha, NELos Angeles, CA vs Omaha, NEChicago, IL vs Omaha, NEHouston, TX vs Omaha, NEOmaha, NE vs Phoenix, AZOmaha, NE vs Philadelphia, PA