City comparison
No. Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 197 in Atlanta, and its violent crime index is 102 versus 193, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Omaha is cheaper. Median rent is $1,187 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
The cost gap between Atlanta and Omaha is the real story here. Omaha comes in 31% cheaper on typical rent ($1,711 vs $1,187), which over a year adds up to $6,288. Median household income runs $85,652 in Atlanta and $73,201 in Omaha.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Omaha costs less and Atlanta 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 rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Omaha at $1,187 average has pockets that run $987 and others at $1,587: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Atlanta and Omaha are 817 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $1,187 a month in Omaha, down $524 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $73,201 in Omaha, down $12,451 (15%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 141 in Omaha, down 56 points (28%).
The move
Omaha and Atlanta are 817 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $524 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $12,451 (17%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 197 in Atlanta, up 56 points (40%).
Atlanta, GA
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 Atlanta and Omaha? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
31% cheaper
Omaha rent is 31% cheaper than Atlanta
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Omaha
Winner$1,187/mo
Typical rent runs $1,187 a month in Omaha versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Omaha is 31% cheaper. That's roughly $524/month back in your pocket ($6,288/year). Over five years that's $31,440 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Atlanta, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Omaha is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Omaha? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
17% higher
Atlanta's median income is 17% higher than Omaha
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
Omaha
$73,201
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $73,201 in Omaha, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Atlanta (about $12,451 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Atlanta is the stronger labor market on paper. Omaha can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
28% lower crime
Omaha's crime index is 28% lower than Atlanta
Atlanta
197 (100 = avg)
Omaha
Winner141 (100 = avg)
Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 197 in Atlanta (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 28% 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. Atlanta can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
7% more comfortable
Atlanta weather is 7% more comfortable than Omaha
Atlanta
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Omaha
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Atlanta averages about 61°F (70°F highs); Omaha averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Atlanta averages around 61°F. Omaha averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Atlanta scores 7% 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 17% higher ($85,652), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 61°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Omaha is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 31% cheaper here at about $1,187 a month. Choose Omaha if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Omaha is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 28% lower than Atlanta (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
On rent alone, Omaha undercuts Atlanta by $524/month ($1,187 vs $1,711). I would not pick Atlanta on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Omaha rent at $1,187/month is still below Atlanta's $1,711, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $73,201 in Omaha.
Omaha is the default on housing cost at $1,187/month versus $1,711 in Atlanta; Atlanta stays in play when $85,652 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $524 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Atlanta and Omaha, plus other cities in GA and NE.
