Omaha NE vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 119,508 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 40.2 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 68.8% | 44.0% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.5% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $69,261 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $65,328 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.4% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 37.6% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $399,650 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 50.2% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 324 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.7% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 16.4% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.9% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Omaha, NE | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 75.4°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 62.3 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.0 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 324 in West Palm Beach. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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