Omaha vs Glendale: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Omaha, Nebraska compare to Glendale, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Omaha is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 79% lower in Omaha compared to Glendale, while rent is 45% lower. State income tax is 6.64% in NE vs 13.3% in CA.
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Glendale, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $210,300 | $992,000 | -78.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,099 | $2,002 | -45.1% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $70,202 | $81,219 | -13.6% |
| Per Capita Income | $40,081 | $44,298 | -9.5% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 6.6% | 13.3% | -50.1% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 6.9% | 8.7% | -20.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 489,201 | 194,512 | +151.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Omaha
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Glendale
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Omaha costs $210,300 compared to $992,000 in Glendale — a 79% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,099/mo in Omaha vs $2,002/mo in Glendale.
- Income: Median household income is $70,202 in Omaha and $81,219 in Glendale.
- Taxes: State income tax is 6.64% in Nebraska vs 13.3% in California.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).