Omaha NE vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 250,887 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.6 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 10.7% | Omaha + |
| White | 68.8% | 48.7% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.3% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $57,673 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $35,074 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $59,120 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.9% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 17.9% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 37.2% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $419,326 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 54.6% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 398 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1999 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.7% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.4% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | 63.8°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 58.4 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.2 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 398 in Wilmington. 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, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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