Cost of Living: Omaha, NE vs Irvine, CA (2026)

Omaha

Nebraska
80
VS

Irvine

California
256

Omaha is 69% cheaper than Irvine.

$1,150/mo ↓ 60%
Median Rent
$2,893/mo ↑ 152%
$72,708/yr ↓ 44%
Median Income
$129,647/yr ↑ 78%
$230,100 ↓ 79%
Home Value
$1,115,400 ↑ 385%
$1,249/mo ↓ 57%
Owner Costs
$2,904/mo ↑ 133%
488,197
Population
308,160

Tax Comparison

6.64%
Income Tax
13.3%
5.5%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.73%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

19.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Omaha, NE and Irvine, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 256 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,743/month cheaper in Omaha, saving renters about $20,916/year.

Median household income is $56,939/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Omaha is $230,100 compared to $1,115,400 in Irvine.

Nebraska has a lower income tax rate, making Omaha slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Omaha vs Irvine — common questions

Is Omaha or Irvine cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Omaha is cheaper to live in with an index of 80 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Omaha and Irvine?
Median rent in Omaha is $1,150/month and in Irvine it's $2,893/month — a difference of $1,743/month.
Which city has higher income, Omaha or Irvine?
Median household income is $72,708 in Omaha and $129,647 in Irvine. Median household income is $56,939/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between Nebraska and California?
Nebraska has 6.64% income tax, 5.5% sales tax, and 1.73% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Omaha or Irvine?
It depends on your priorities. Omaha has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,150/mo, while Irvine has a cost index of 256 with rent of $2,893/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Omaha details → View Irvine details →

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