City comparison
Yes. Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 193 in Durham, and its violent crime index is 102 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Omaha is cheaper. Median rent is $1,187 a month versus $1,508 in Durham.
Safety is where Omaha and Durham split most clearly. Omaha scores 52 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 $1,508 in Durham.
This is a genuine split. Omaha wins on cost of living and safety and Durham wins on the job market. 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
Omaha and Durham are 987 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $1,508 a month in Durham, up $321 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $81,619 in Durham, up $8,418 (11%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 193 in Durham, up 52 points (37%).
The move
Durham and Omaha are 987 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $1,187 a month in Omaha, down $321 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $73,201 in Omaha, down $8,418 (10%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 141 in Omaha, down 52 points (27%).
Omaha, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Durham, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Omaha and Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Omaha rent is 21% cheaper than Durham
Omaha
Winner$1,187/mo
Durham
$1,508/mo
Typical rent runs $1,187 a month in Omaha versus $1,508 in Durham, so Omaha is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $321/month back in your pocket ($3,852/year). Over five years that's $19,260 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 Durham, 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
11% higher
Durham's median income is 11% higher than Omaha
Omaha
$73,201
Durham
Winner$81,619
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham versus $73,201 in Omaha, so typical pay runs 11% higher in Durham (about $8,418 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, Durham 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
27% lower crime
Omaha's crime index is 27% lower than Durham
Omaha
Winner141 (100 = avg)
Durham
193 (100 = avg)
Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 193 in Durham (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 27% 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. Durham can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Omaha and Durham are about even on typical weather.
Omaha
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Durham
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Omaha averages about 59°F (68°F highs); Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Omaha averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Durham 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
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 21% 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 27% lower than Durham (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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Durham is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 11% higher here ($81,619). Start with Durham if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,187/month in Omaha versus $1,508 in Durham. Median income reads $73,201 in Omaha and $81,619 in Durham, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Omaha rent at $1,187/month is still below Durham's $1,508, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $81,619 in Durham versus $73,201 in Omaha.
Pick Omaha when shaving $321 off rent at $1,187/month is the priority. Otherwise, Durham's case rests on $1,508/month rent with $81,619 local income.
Common questions
Ready to move to Omaha?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Omaha when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Omaha and Durham, plus other cities in NE and NC.
