City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 141 in Omaha, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 102, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Omaha is cheaper. Median rent is $1,187 a month versus $1,446 in Boise.
Safety is where Omaha and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 68 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,187 in Omaha and $1,446 in Boise.
Boise is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Omaha makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Boise 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
Omaha and Boise are 1,043 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $1,446 a month in Boise, up $259 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $83,904 in Boise, up $10,703 (15%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 73 in Boise, down 68 points (48%).
The move
Boise and Omaha are 1,043 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,187 a month in Omaha, down $259 a month (18%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $73,201 in Omaha, down $10,703 (13%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 141 in Omaha, up 68 points (93%).
Omaha, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Boise, ID
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Omaha and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
18% cheaper
Omaha rent is 18% cheaper than Boise
Omaha
Winner$1,187/mo
Boise
$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,187 a month in Omaha versus $1,446 in Boise, 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 $3,108, 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 Boise.
Planning to buy in Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
15% higher
Boise's median income is 15% higher than Omaha
Omaha
$73,201
Boise
Winner$83,904
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise versus $73,201 in Omaha, so typical pay runs 15% higher in Boise (about $10,703 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, Boise 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
Boise's crime index is 48% lower than Omaha
Omaha
141 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 141 in Omaha (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 48% lower in Boise. 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, Boise is the easier city. Omaha can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
7% more comfortable
Boise weather is 7% more comfortable than Omaha
Omaha
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Boise
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Omaha averages about 59°F (68°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Omaha averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Boise averages around 61°F. Boise 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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Omaha
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.
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 15% higher ($83,904), 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.
Boise 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 Omaha (73 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
Safety is the widest gap: Boise scores 70/100 versus 50/100 in Omaha. Rent is $1,446/month in Boise and $1,187/month in Omaha, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Boise still pays more locally ($83,904 median income vs $73,201), which can offset the lease if your field pays Boise rates.
Median income is $83,904 in Boise versus $73,201 in Omaha.
Boise is ahead on safety (70/100 vs 50/100); Omaha is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,187/month rent plus $73,201 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Omaha and Boise, plus other cities in NE and ID.
