Omaha NE vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 457,066 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.4 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 9.1% | Omaha + |
| White | 68.8% | 61.6% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 8.9% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $427,121 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 16.7% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.0 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Omaha. 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, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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