City comparison
No. Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 167 in Chicago, and its violent crime index is 102 versus 139, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Omaha is cheaper. Median rent is $1,187 a month versus $1,440 in Chicago.
Chicago and Omaha are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,440 in Chicago and $1,187 in Omaha, and median household income lands at $77,902 versus $73,201. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
This is a genuine split. Chicago wins on the job market and Omaha wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
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
Chicago and Omaha are 430 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,187 a month in Omaha, down $253 a month (18%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $73,201 in Omaha, down $4,701 (6%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 141 in Omaha, down 26 points (16%).
The move
Omaha and Chicago are 430 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $1,440 a month in Chicago, up $253 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $77,902 in Chicago, up $4,701 (6%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 167 in Chicago, up 26 points (18%).
Chicago, IL
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 Chicago and Omaha? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
18% cheaper
Omaha rent is 18% cheaper than Chicago
Chicago
$1,440/mo
Omaha
Winner$1,187/mo
Typical rent runs $1,187 a month in Omaha versus $1,440 in Chicago, so Omaha is 18% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,036, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Omaha still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Chicago.
Planning to buy in Omaha? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Chicago's median income is 6% higher than Omaha
Chicago
Winner$77,902
Omaha
$73,201
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago versus $73,201 in Omaha, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Chicago (about $4,701 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
16% lower crime
Omaha's crime index is 16% lower than Chicago
Chicago
167 (100 = avg)
Omaha
Winner141 (100 = avg)
Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 167 in Chicago (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 16% 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. Chicago can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Chicago and Omaha are about even on typical weather.
Chicago
59°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 83/100
Omaha
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Chicago averages about 59°F (65°F highs); Omaha averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Chicago averages around 59°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. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Chicago is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 6% higher here ($77,902). Start with Chicago if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 18% 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 16% lower than Chicago (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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Omaha leads on safety (50/100 vs 44/100 in Chicago). Typical rent is $1,187 in Omaha and $1,440 in Chicago; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Chicago still pays more locally ($77,902 median income vs $73,201), which can offset the lease if your field pays Chicago rates.
Median income is $77,902 in Chicago versus $73,201 in Omaha.
Between Chicago and Omaha, Omaha is ahead on safety — 50/100 safety versus 44/100. Lean Chicago instead when you already know the Chicago block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Omaha when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Omaha, plus other cities in IL and NE.
