City comparison
No. Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 141 in Omaha, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 102, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,187 in Omaha.
Omaha and Lincoln 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 $1,187 in Omaha and $1,086 in Lincoln, and median household income lands at $73,201 versus $71,867. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Lincoln is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, 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 Lincoln is the stronger move.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Omaha and Lincoln are 49 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $101 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $1,334 (2%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 124 in Lincoln, down 17 points (12%).
The move
Lincoln and Omaha are 49 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,187 a month in Omaha, up $101 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $73,201 in Omaha, up $1,334 (2%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 141 in Omaha, up 17 points (14%).
Omaha, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Lincoln, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Omaha and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
9% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 9% cheaper than Omaha
Omaha
$1,187/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,187 in Omaha, so Lincoln is 9% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $101, or $1,212 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
2% higher
Omaha's median income is 2% higher than Lincoln
Omaha
Winner$73,201
Lincoln
$71,867
Median household income is $73,201 in Omaha versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 2% higher in Omaha (about $1,334 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
12% lower crime
Lincoln's crime index is 12% lower than Omaha
Omaha
141 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
Winner124 (100 = avg)
Lincoln's crime index is 124 versus 141 in Omaha (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 12% lower in Lincoln. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Lincoln, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Omaha. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
4% more comfortable
Lincoln weather is 4% more comfortable than Omaha
Omaha
54°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 69/100
Lincoln
Winner55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Omaha averages about 54°F (63°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Omaha averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lincoln scores 4% 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 and professional growth
Omaha is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 2% higher here ($73,201). Start with Omaha if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 9% cheaper here at about $1,086 a month. Choose Lincoln if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Lincoln if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (55°F) beat Omaha on this page's weather index by 4%. Omaha may pay more or cost less, but Lincoln is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Lincoln is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 12% lower than Omaha (124 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
Omaha carries the heavier crime signal on this page (50/100 safety vs 53/100 in Lincoln). That 3-point spread matters more than the $101 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
With only $101 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Weather averages land near 54°F in Omaha and 55°F in Lincoln.
If safety drives your move, Lincoln is the stronger match (53/100 safety versus 50/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Omaha, treat $1,187/month rent and $73,201 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Lincoln when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Omaha and Lincoln, plus other cities in NE.
