City comparison
No. Garland's crime index is 87 versus 141 in Omaha, and its violent crime index is 62 versus 102, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Omaha is cheaper. Median rent is $1,187 a month versus $1,641 in Garland.
Safety is where Omaha and Garland split most clearly. Garland scores 54 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 $1,641 in Garland.
Garland 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 Garland 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 Garland are 578 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $1,641 a month in Garland, up $454 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $76,320 in Garland, up $3,119 (4%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 87 in Garland, down 54 points (38%).
The move
Garland and Omaha are 578 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,641 a month in Garland to $1,187 a month in Omaha, down $454 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $76,320 in Garland to $73,201 in Omaha, down $3,119 (4%).
The crime index goes from 87 in Garland to 141 in Omaha, up 54 points (62%).
Omaha, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Garland, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Omaha and Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Omaha rent is 28% cheaper than Garland
Omaha
Winner$1,187/mo
Garland
$1,641/mo
Typical rent runs $1,187 a month in Omaha versus $1,641 in Garland, so Omaha is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $454/month back in your pocket ($5,448/year). Over five years that's $27,240 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 Garland, 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 Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Garland's median income is 4% higher than Omaha
Omaha
$73,201
Garland
Winner$76,320
Median household income is $76,320 in Garland versus $73,201 in Omaha, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Garland (about $3,119 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
38% lower crime
Garland's crime index is 38% lower than Omaha
Omaha
141 (100 = avg)
Garland
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Garland's crime index is 87 versus 141 in Omaha (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 38% lower in Garland. 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, Garland 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
20% more comfortable
Garland weather is 20% more comfortable than Omaha
Omaha
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Garland
Winner66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Omaha averages about 59°F (68°F highs); Garland averages about 66°F (73°F highs). Omaha averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Garland sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Garland scores 20% 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 28% 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 4% higher ($76,320), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 66°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Garland is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 38% lower than Omaha (87 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 Garland leads on safety (64/100 vs 50/100 in Omaha). Typical rent is $1,641 in Garland and $1,187 in Omaha; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Garland still pays more locally ($76,320 median income vs $73,201), which can offset the lease if your field pays Garland rates.
Weather averages land near 59°F in Omaha and 66°F in Garland.
Between Omaha and Garland, Garland is ahead on safety — 64/100 safety versus 50/100. Lean Omaha instead when you already know the Omaha block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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