City comparison
No. Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 293 in Albuquerque, and its violent crime index is 102 versus 320, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Albuquerque is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,187 in Omaha.
Safety is where Albuquerque and Omaha split most clearly. Omaha scores 152 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,145 in Albuquerque and $1,187 in Omaha.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Albuquerque costs less and Omaha pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Omaha has rougher pockets and Albuquerque has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Albuquerque and Omaha are 720 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Albuquerque to $1,187 a month in Omaha, up $42 a month (4%).
Median household income goes from $68,317 in Albuquerque to $73,201 in Omaha, up $4,884 (7%).
The crime index goes from 293 in Albuquerque to 141 in Omaha, down 152 points (52%).
The move
Omaha and Albuquerque are 720 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $1,145 a month in Albuquerque, down $42 a month (4%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $68,317 in Albuquerque, down $4,884 (7%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 293 in Albuquerque, up 152 points (108%).
Albuquerque, NM
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Omaha, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Albuquerque and Omaha? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
4% cheaper
Albuquerque rent is 4% cheaper than Omaha
Albuquerque
Winner$1,145/mo
Omaha
$1,187/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Albuquerque versus $1,187 in Omaha, so Albuquerque is 4% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $42, or $504 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Albuquerque? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
7% higher
Omaha's median income is 7% higher than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
$68,317
Omaha
Winner$73,201
Median household income is $73,201 in Omaha versus $68,317 in Albuquerque, so typical pay runs 7% higher in Omaha (about $4,884 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
52% lower crime
Omaha's crime index is 52% lower than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
293 (100 = avg)
Omaha
Winner141 (100 = avg)
Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 293 in Albuquerque (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 52% lower in Omaha. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Omaha is the easier city. Albuquerque can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
20% more comfortable
Albuquerque weather is 20% more comfortable than Omaha
Albuquerque
Winner65°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 100/100
Omaha
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Albuquerque averages about 65°F (72°F highs); Omaha averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Albuquerque sits near 65°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Omaha averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Albuquerque scores 20% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Omaha if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Albuquerque is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 4% cheaper here at about $1,145 a month. Choose Albuquerque if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Albuquerque if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (65°F) beat Omaha on this page's weather index by 20%. Omaha may pay more or cost less, but Albuquerque is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Omaha is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 7% higher here ($73,201). Start with Omaha if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Omaha is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 52% lower than Albuquerque (141 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Omaha scores 50/100 versus 27/100 in Albuquerque. Rent is $1,187/month in Omaha and $1,145/month in Albuquerque, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Safety still diverges (50/100 in Omaha vs 27/100 in Albuquerque), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $73,201 in Omaha versus $68,317 in Albuquerque.
Between Albuquerque and Omaha, Omaha is ahead on safety — 50/100 safety versus 27/100. Lean Albuquerque instead when you already know the Albuquerque block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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