City comparison
No. Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 141 in Omaha, and its violent crime index is 112 versus 102, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Omaha is cheaper. Median rent is $1,187 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
Safety is where Omaha and Tampa split most clearly. Tampa scores 48 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 $1,701 in Tampa.
Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa are 1,194 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $514 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $75,475 in Tampa, up $2,274 (3%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 93 in Tampa, down 48 points (34%).
The move
Tampa and Omaha are 1,194 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $1,187 a month in Omaha, down $514 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $73,201 in Omaha, down $2,274 (3%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 141 in Omaha, up 48 points (52%).
Omaha, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Tampa, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Omaha and Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
30% cheaper
Omaha rent is 30% cheaper than Tampa
Omaha
Winner$1,187/mo
Tampa
$1,701/mo
Typical rent runs $1,187 a month in Omaha versus $1,701 in Tampa, so Omaha is 30% cheaper. That's roughly $514/month back in your pocket ($6,168/year). Over five years that's $30,840 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 Tampa, 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 Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
3% higher
Tampa's median income is 3% higher than Omaha
Omaha
$73,201
Tampa
Winner$75,475
Median household income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $73,201 in Omaha, so typical pay runs 3% higher in Tampa (about $2,274 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
34% lower crime
Tampa's crime index is 34% lower than Omaha
Omaha
141 (100 = avg)
Tampa
Winner93 (100 = avg)
Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 141 in Omaha (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 34% lower in Tampa. 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, Tampa 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
Tampa weather is 20% more comfortable than Omaha
Omaha
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Tampa
Winner75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Omaha averages about 59°F (68°F highs); Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs). Omaha averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Tampa sits near 75°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tampa 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 30% 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 3% higher ($75,475), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 75°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Tampa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 34% lower than Omaha (93 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
On rent alone, Omaha undercuts Tampa by $514/month ($1,187 vs $1,701). I would not pick Tampa on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Safety still diverges (62/100 in Tampa vs 50/100 in Omaha), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 59°F in Omaha and 75°F in Tampa.
Between Omaha and Tampa, Omaha is ahead on housing cost — $1,187/month rent against $1,701. Lean Tampa instead when your $75,475 income offer in Tampa outweighs saving $514/month in Omaha.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Tampa when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Omaha and Tampa, plus other cities in NE and FL.
