Performance
Score Breakdown
Omaha
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Omaha is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
48% lower compared to Albuquerque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Omaha's average rent is
23% higher than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | Omaha | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,178 | +23% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $195 | -8% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $2,723 | -91% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $4,616 | -48% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albuquerque delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Omaha is estimated at
$55,000 vs $69,443 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Omaha | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,465 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $69,443 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,158 idx | 79,381 idx |
| Household Income | $73,201 | $71,494 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Omaha | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Omaha has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
Albuquerque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Omaha leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Omaha | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 47.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Omaha.
From a growth perspective, Omaha is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Omaha has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Omaha | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 494,169 | 560,326 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.84% | % |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.90% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Omaha
Advantages
The cost of living in Omaha is 8.1% lower than the U.S. average, making it highly affordable.
Omaha boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.9% as of May 2026, indicating a strong job market.
The average commute time is relatively short at 19.6 minutes in 2024.
Median household income was $73,201 in 2024, reflecting healthy earning potential.
The city has a diverse and growing economy driven by key sectors like healthcare, finance, and education.
Drawbacks
Omaha has a 'Car-Dependent' Walk Score of 47 and 'Minimal Transit' Transit Score of 30, indicating limited public transportation and walkability options.
Assisted living costs in Omaha, at $6,150 per month in 2024, are higher than the state average.
The city experienced a slight population decline of 0.6% from April 2020 to mid-2025 according to one estimate, though other projections show growth.
While generally safe, like any major city, crime rates can be a concern in specific areas.
Specific job growth rates and new business formation rates for 2024+ were not consistently available, making it difficult to quantify recent economic momentum.
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many U.S. cities.
Housing expenses are notably reasonable, with average rent 29% lower than the national average.
Albuquerque boasts a highly accessible park system, ranking 15th nationally in 2024, with 90% of residents living within a walkable half-mile of a park.
The city offers a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant arts scene, including the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are lower than the national average, with annual medical costs for a single adult around $2,723 in 2024.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque has a high violent crime rate, which is 229% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's overall walkability score of 43 indicates a high reliance on cars for most daily errands.
Despite a decrease in violent crime, burglaries increased by 11% in 2024.
The population experienced a slight decline of 0.25% in 2024.
Specific recent data for long-term care costs (home care, assisted living, nursing home) were not readily available.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Omaha
#21Nebraska, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$65,465
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
47.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
Albuquerque
#21New Mexico, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,178
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
97
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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