City comparison
No. Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 271 in Denver, and its violent crime index is 102 versus 272, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Omaha is cheaper. Median rent is $1,187 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
Safety is where Denver and Omaha split most clearly. Omaha scores 130 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,831 in Denver and $1,187 in Omaha.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Omaha costs less and Denver 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
Denver and Omaha are 486 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,187 a month in Omaha, down $644 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $73,201 in Omaha, down $21,517 (23%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 141 in Omaha, down 130 points (48%).
The move
Omaha and Denver are 486 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $644 a month (54%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $94,718 in Denver, up $21,517 (29%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 271 in Denver, up 130 points (92%).
Denver, CO
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 Denver and Omaha? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
35% cheaper
Omaha rent is 35% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Omaha
Winner$1,187/mo
Typical rent runs $1,187 a month in Omaha versus $1,831 in Denver, so Omaha is 35% cheaper. That's roughly $644/month back in your pocket ($7,728/year). Over five years that's $38,640 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 Denver, 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
29% higher
Denver's median income is 29% higher than Omaha
Denver
Winner$94,718
Omaha
$73,201
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $73,201 in Omaha, so typical pay runs 29% higher in Denver (about $21,517 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, Denver 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
48% lower crime
Omaha's crime index is 48% lower than Denver
Denver
271 (100 = avg)
Omaha
Winner141 (100 = avg)
Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 271 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 48% 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. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
11% more comfortable
Denver weather is 11% more comfortable than Omaha
Denver
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Omaha
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Denver averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Omaha averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Denver averages around 62°F. Omaha averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Denver scores 11% 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 29% higher ($94,718), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 62°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 35% 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 48% lower than Denver (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 $1,831 in Denver ($644 apart). Denver median income is $94,718 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 Denver's $1,831, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $94,718 in Denver versus $73,201 in Omaha.
Pick Omaha when shaving $644 off rent at $1,187/month is the priority. Otherwise, Denver's case rests on $1,831/month rent with $94,718 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Omaha when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Denver and Omaha, plus other cities in CO and NE.
