Omaha NE vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 396,488 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.7 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 10.0% | Omaha + |
| White | 68.8% | 66.6% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 9.7% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $63,072 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $35,958 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $61,860 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.7% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.9% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 30.9% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 449 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2174 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 39.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.6% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.7% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.9% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.3% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 57.0°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 32.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wichita, KS | 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
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. 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%.
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