City comparison
No. Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 142 in Raleigh, and its violent crime index is 102 versus 128, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Omaha is cheaper. Median rent is $1,187 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
The cost gap between Raleigh and Omaha is the real story here. Omaha comes in 24% cheaper on typical rent ($1,572 vs $1,187), which over a year adds up to $4,620. Median household income runs $85,395 in Raleigh and $73,201 in Omaha.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Omaha costs less and Raleigh 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
Raleigh and Omaha are 1,007 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,187 a month in Omaha, down $385 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $73,201 in Omaha, down $12,194 (14%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 141 in Omaha, down 1 points (1%).
The move
Omaha and Raleigh are 1,007 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $385 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $12,194 (17%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 142 in Raleigh, up 1 points (1%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Omaha? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Omaha rent is 24% cheaper than Raleigh
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Omaha
Winner$1,187/mo
Typical rent runs $1,187 a month in Omaha versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Omaha is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $385/month back in your pocket ($4,620/year). Over five years that's $23,100 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 Raleigh, 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
17% higher
Raleigh's median income is 17% higher than Omaha
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Omaha
$73,201
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $73,201 in Omaha, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Raleigh (about $12,194 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, Raleigh 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
1% lower crime
Omaha's crime index is 1% lower than Raleigh
Raleigh
142 (100 = avg)
Omaha
Winner141 (100 = avg)
Omaha's crime index is 141 versus 142 in Raleigh (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 1% lower in Omaha. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Omaha, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Raleigh. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
4% more comfortable
Raleigh weather is 4% more comfortable than Omaha
Raleigh
Winner60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Omaha
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Omaha averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Omaha averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Raleigh 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 17% higher ($85,395), 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 24% 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 1% lower than Raleigh (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
On rent alone, Omaha undercuts Raleigh by $385/month ($1,187 vs $1,572). I would not pick Raleigh on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Omaha rent at $1,187/month is still below Raleigh's $1,572, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 60°F in Raleigh and 59°F in Omaha.
Between Raleigh and Omaha, Omaha is ahead on housing cost — $1,187/month rent against $1,572. Lean Raleigh instead when your $85,395 income offer in Raleigh outweighs saving $385/month in Omaha.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Raleigh and Omaha, plus other cities in NC and NE.
