Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Omaha, NE
VS
Phoenix, AZ
🏆 Omaha leads 12 of 22 categories
Omaha
Nebraska
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$70,202
Violent Crime Index
97 ✓ Safer
Population
489,201
Phoenix
Arizona
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
Median Household Income
$72,092 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
1,609,456 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Omaha, NE
Pros
Homes cost $130k less ($210,300 vs $340,200)
54% less violent crime than Phoenix
Rent averages $223/mo less ($1,099 vs $1,322)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (4.2%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 104°F
Cons
Property crime (3161.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Phoenix, AZ
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $340,200
Violent crime (799.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (5.2% vs 4.2%)
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Omaha
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 92.5 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
Omaha
Violent Crime
54% lower
369.0 vs 799.6 per 100k
Omaha
Median Home Value
$130k less
$210,300 vs $340,200
Omaha
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.2% unemployment
Phoenix
Median Income
$1,890
$72,092 vs $70,202/yr
Phoenix
Summer Heat
18.8°F warmer
July avg high 104.0°F vs 85.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.5 ✓ Cheaper | 98.4 |
| Median Home Value | $210,300 ✓ Lower | $340,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,099 ✓ Lower | $1,322 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,202 | $72,092 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 25.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 14.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 97 ✓ Safer | 210⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 151⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B (98) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 | 15.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.2% ✓ Higher | 31.2% |
| High School or Higher | 90.4% ✓ Higher | 83.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.3°F | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.2°F | 104.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 33.1" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 27.1" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 489,201 | 1,609,456 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.1 ✓ Older | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% ✓ Higher | 56.4% |
| Under 18 | 24.5% | 24.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.8% ✓ More | 11.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Omaha's cost of living index is 92.5 vs Phoenix's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Omaha is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Omaha leads 12 of 22 categories. Omaha wins 12 and Phoenix wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Omaha to Phoenix or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($210,300 vs $340,200 median home), income ($70,202 vs $72,092), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Omaha, NE and Phoenix, AZ are about 1,026 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.