City Comparison
Omaha vs Albuquerque
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Omaha scores higher overall
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
#35Nebraska, USA
65.1 / 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
#132New Mexico, USA
49.3 / 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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