Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Omaha, NE
VS
Santa Monica, CA
🏆 Omaha leads 13 of 23 categories
Omaha
Nebraska
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$70,202
Violent Crime Index
97 ✓ Safer
Population
489,201 ✓ Larger
Santa Monica
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,797 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
205⚠ High
Population
92,168
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Omaha, NE
Pros
Homes cost $1445k less ($210,300 vs $1,654,800)
Rent averages $1128/mo less ($1,099 vs $2,227)
53% less violent crime than Santa Monica
23% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Monica
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (4.2%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Santa Monica by $36,595/yr
Property crime (3161.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Santa Monica, CA
Pros
Households earn $36,595 more per year on average
More college-educated — 67.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 32°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 69°F vs 85°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,654,800
Higher rents — median is $2,227/mo
Violent crime (778.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 23% higher than Omaha
Key Differences at a Glance
Omaha
Cost of Living
23% cheaper
COL index 92.5 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Omaha
Violent Crime
53% lower
369.0 vs 778.0 per 100k
Omaha
Median Home Value
$1445k less
$210,300 vs $1,654,800
Omaha
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
4.2% vs 6.2% unemployment
Omaha
Summer Heat
15.8°F warmer
July avg high 85.2°F vs 69.4°F
Santa Monica
Median Income
$36,595
$106,797 vs $70,202/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.5 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $210,300 ✓ Lower | $1,654,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,099 ✓ Lower | $2,227⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,202 | $106,797 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 25.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 27.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 214⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 97 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 228⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.2% | 67.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.4% | 94.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.3°F | 62.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.2°F ✓ Warmer | 69.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 33.1" | 12.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 27.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 489,201 ✓ Larger | 92,168 |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 42.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% ✓ Higher | 28.9% |
| Under 18 | 24.5% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.8% | 18.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Omaha's cost of living index is 92.5 vs Santa Monica's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Omaha is 23% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Omaha leads 13 of 23 categories. Omaha wins 13 and Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($210,300 vs $1,654,800 median home), income ($70,202 vs $106,797), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Omaha, NE and Santa Monica, CA are about 1,322 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.