Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Omaha, NE
VS
Santa Rosa, CA
🏆 Omaha leads 14 of 23 categories
Omaha
Nebraska
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$70,202
Violent Crime Index
97
Population
489,201 ✓ Larger
Santa Rosa
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
110.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,604 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
90 ✓ Safer
Population
178,221
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Omaha, NE
Pros
Homes cost $451k less ($210,300 vs $661,700)
Rent averages $925/mo less ($1,099 vs $2,024)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Rosa
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (4.2%)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.5)
Cons
Median income trails Santa Rosa by $22,402/yr
Property crime (3161.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Santa Rosa, CA
Pros
Households earn $22,402 more per year on average
7% less violent crime than Omaha
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $661,700
Higher rents — median is $2,024/mo
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Omaha
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 110.1)
Key Differences at a Glance
Omaha
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 92.5 vs 110.1 (100 = US avg)
Omaha
Median Home Value
$451k less
$210,300 vs $661,700
Omaha
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.6% unemployment
Omaha
Summer Heat
3.6°F warmer
July avg high 85.2°F vs 81.6°F
Santa Rosa
Median Income
$22,402
$92,604 vs $70,202/yr
Santa Rosa
Violent Crime
7% lower
342.6 vs 369.0 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Santa Rosa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.5 ✓ Cheaper | 110.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $210,300 ✓ Lower | $661,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,099 ✓ Lower | $2,024⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,202 | $92,604 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter | 22.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 8.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 118⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 97 | 90 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 151⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) ✓ Better | B- (90) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.2% ✓ Higher | 34.7% |
| High School or Higher | 90.4% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Rincon Valley Union Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.3°F | 59.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.2°F ✓ Warmer | 81.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 33.1" | 31.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 27.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 489,201 ✓ Larger | 178,221 |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% ✓ Higher | 55.7% |
| Under 18 | 24.5% ✓ More | 20.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.8% | 18.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Omaha's cost of living index is 92.5 vs Santa Rosa's 110.1 (US average = 100).
Omaha is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Omaha leads 14 of 23 categories. Omaha wins 14 and Santa Rosa wins 9. 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 Rosa or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($210,300 vs $661,700 median home), income ($70,202 vs $92,604), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Omaha, NE and Santa Rosa, CA are about 1,421 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.