City comparison
No. Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 147 in Boston, and its violent crime index is 102 versus 175, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Omaha is cheaper. Median rent is $1,187 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
The cost gap between Boston and Omaha is the real story here. Omaha comes in 45% cheaper on typical rent ($2,147 vs $1,187), which over a year adds up to $11,520. Median household income runs $97,344 in Boston and $73,201 in Omaha.
Omaha is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Boston makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Omaha is the stronger move.
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
Boston and Omaha are 1,279 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,187 a month in Omaha, down $960 a month (45%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $73,201 in Omaha, down $24,143 (25%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 141 in Omaha, down 6 points (4%).
The move
Omaha and Boston are 1,279 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $960 a month (81%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $97,344 in Boston, up $24,143 (33%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 147 in Boston, up 6 points (4%).
Boston, MA
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 Boston and Omaha? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
45% cheaper
Omaha rent is 45% cheaper than Boston
Boston
$2,147/mo
Omaha
Winner$1,187/mo
Typical rent runs $1,187 a month in Omaha versus $2,147 in Boston, so Omaha is 45% cheaper. That's roughly $960/month back in your pocket ($11,520/year). Over five years that's $57,600 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 Boston, 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
33% higher
Boston's median income is 33% higher than Omaha
Boston
Winner$97,344
Omaha
$73,201
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $73,201 in Omaha, so typical pay runs 33% higher in Boston (about $24,143 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, Boston 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
4% lower crime
Omaha's crime index is 4% lower than Boston
Boston
147 (100 = avg)
Omaha
Winner141 (100 = avg)
Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 147 in Boston (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 4% 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 Boston. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
43% more comfortable
Omaha weather is 43% more comfortable than Boston
Boston
50°F avg · 56°F highs · comfort 58/100
Omaha
Winner59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Boston averages about 50°F (56°F highs); Omaha averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Boston averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Omaha averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Omaha scores 43% 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 Boston 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 and professional growth
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 33% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Omaha is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 45% 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.
Pick Omaha if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (59°F) beat Boston on this page's weather index by 43%. Boston may pay more or cost less, but Omaha is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Omaha is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 4% lower than Boston (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
Boston runs $2,147/month while Omaha sits at $1,187 — roughly 45% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Boston-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Omaha rent at $1,187/month is still below Boston's $2,147, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 50°F in Boston and 59°F in Omaha.
Omaha is the default on housing cost at $1,187/month versus $2,147 in Boston; Boston stays in play when $97,344 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $960 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Boston and Omaha, plus other cities in MA and NE.
