City comparison
No. Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 162 in Austin, and its violent crime index is 102 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Omaha is cheaper. Median rent is $1,187 a month versus $1,729 in Austin.
The cost gap between Austin and Omaha is the real story here. Omaha comes in 31% cheaper on typical rent ($1,729 vs $1,187), which over a year adds up to $6,504. Median household income runs $93,658 in Austin and $73,201 in Omaha.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Omaha costs less and Austin 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
Austin and Omaha are 766 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,187 a month in Omaha, down $542 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $73,201 in Omaha, down $20,457 (22%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 141 in Omaha, down 21 points (13%).
The move
Omaha and Austin are 766 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $1,729 a month in Austin, up $542 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $93,658 in Austin, up $20,457 (28%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 162 in Austin, up 21 points (15%).
Austin, TX
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 Austin and Omaha? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
31% cheaper
Omaha rent is 31% cheaper than Austin
Austin
$1,729/mo
Omaha
Winner$1,187/mo
Typical rent runs $1,187 a month in Omaha versus $1,729 in Austin, so Omaha is 31% cheaper. That's roughly $542/month back in your pocket ($6,504/year). Over five years that's $32,520 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 Austin, 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
28% higher
Austin's median income is 28% higher than Omaha
Austin
Winner$93,658
Omaha
$73,201
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $73,201 in Omaha, so typical pay runs 28% higher in Austin (about $20,457 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, Austin 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
13% lower crime
Omaha's crime index is 13% lower than Austin
Austin
162 (100 = avg)
Omaha
Winner141 (100 = avg)
Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 162 in Austin (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 13% lower in Omaha. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Omaha, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Austin. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
16% more comfortable
Austin weather is 16% more comfortable than Omaha
Austin
Winner74°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Omaha
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Austin averages about 74°F (81°F highs); Omaha averages about 60°F (69°F highs). Austin sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Omaha averages around 60°F. Austin scores 16% 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 28% higher ($93,658), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°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 13% lower than Austin (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
Rent is the clearest fork: Omaha at $1,187/month versus $1,729 in Austin ($542 apart). Austin median income is $93,658 against $73,201 in Omaha, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Omaha rent at $1,187/month is still below Austin's $1,729, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 74°F in Austin and 60°F in Omaha.
Omaha clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Austin deserves a serious look only when your $93,658 income offer in Austin outweighs saving $542/month in Omaha.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and Omaha, plus other cities in TX and NE.
