City comparison
No. Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 265 in Portland, and its violent crime index is 102 versus 207, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Omaha is cheaper. Median rent is $1,187 a month versus $1,655 in Portland.
Safety is where Portland and Omaha split most clearly. Omaha scores 124 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,655 in Portland and $1,187 in Omaha.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Omaha costs less and Portland pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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
Portland and Omaha are 1,368 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,655 a month in Portland to $1,187 a month in Omaha, down $468 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $90,919 in Portland to $73,201 in Omaha, down $17,718 (19%).
The crime index goes from 265 in Portland to 141 in Omaha, down 124 points (47%).
The move
Omaha and Portland are 1,368 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $1,655 a month in Portland, up $468 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $90,919 in Portland, up $17,718 (24%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 265 in Portland, up 124 points (88%).
Portland, OR
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Omaha, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Portland and Omaha? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Omaha rent is 28% cheaper than Portland
Portland
$1,655/mo
Omaha
Winner$1,187/mo
Typical rent runs $1,187 a month in Omaha versus $1,655 in Portland, so Omaha is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $468/month back in your pocket ($5,616/year). Over five years that's $28,080 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 Portland, 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
24% higher
Portland's median income is 24% higher than Omaha
Portland
Winner$90,919
Omaha
$73,201
Median household income is $90,919 in Portland versus $73,201 in Omaha, so typical pay runs 24% higher in Portland (about $17,718 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, Portland 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
47% lower crime
Omaha's crime index is 47% lower than Portland
Portland
265 (100 = avg)
Omaha
Winner141 (100 = avg)
Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 265 in Portland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 47% 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. Portland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
4% more comfortable
Portland weather is 4% more comfortable than Omaha
Portland
Winner60°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 86/100
Omaha
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Portland averages about 60°F (68°F highs); Omaha averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Portland averages around 60°F. Omaha averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Portland 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 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 24% higher ($90,919), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 60°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
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 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.
Omaha is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 47% lower than Portland (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.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Omaha leads on safety (50/100 vs 30/100 in Portland). Typical rent is $1,187 in Omaha and $1,655 in Portland; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Portland still pays more locally ($90,919 median income vs $73,201), which can offset the lease if your field pays Portland rates.
Median income is $90,919 in Portland versus $73,201 in Omaha.
Between Portland and Omaha, Omaha is ahead on safety — 50/100 safety versus 30/100. Lean Portland instead when you already know the Portland 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
Open full neighborhood reports for Portland and Omaha, plus other cities in OR and NE.
