Home › Compare › Austin, TX vs Omaha, NE

Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Omaha, NE

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

11.7% Omaha, NE is cheaper overall
30.5% 30.5% cheaper housing
1.0% 1.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 30.5% cheaper
Austin
118
Omaha
82
🛒 Groceries ~Same
Austin
96
Omaha
95
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Austin
98
Omaha
96
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
Austin
97
Omaha
96
⚡ Utilities 3.0% cheaper
Austin
99
Omaha
96

Detailed Breakdown

Category Austin, TX Omaha, NE Difference
Overall Cost Index1039111.7% less
Housing1188230.5% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,450$1,05027.6% less
Median Home Price$425,000$240,00043.5% less
Groceries9695~Same
Transportation9896~Same
Healthcare9796~Same
Utilities99963.0% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Austin, TX Omaha, NE
State Income TaxNone (0%)5.84% (top)
State Sales Tax6.25%5.50%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%1.54%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Austin, TX
$85,000
Median household income
Omaha, NE
$66,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Omaha costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Omaha to maintain your Austin lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Austin (103) vs Omaha (91). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Austin3.2%
Omaha3.0%
Job Growth (YoY)
Austin4.1%
Omaha2.6%
Top Industries
AustinTech, Government, Healthcare
OmahaFinance, Insurance, Agriculture

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Austin28 min
Omaha20 min
Walk Score
Austin41
Omaha38
Air Quality (AQI)
Austin38
Omaha38
Avg Temperature
Austin68°F
Omaha51°F
Population
Austin979,882
Omaha486,051

Moving from Austin to Omaha?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Austin and Omaha → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Omaha →

Compare Other Cities

Austin vs Denver → Austin vs Nashville → Austin vs Raleigh → Omaha vs Portland → Omaha vs Phoenix → Omaha vs Chicago →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin or Omaha cheaper to live in?+
Omaha is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 30.5%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Omaha?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,450/month in Austin and $1,050/month in Omaha — a difference of about $400 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Austin or Omaha?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Nebraska has a state income tax of 5.84% (top) and sales tax of 5.50%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Austin to Omaha?+
Median household income in Austin is $85,000 compared to $66,000 in Omaha. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Austin vs Omaha?+
The median home price in Austin is $425,000 versus $240,000 in Omaha — a difference of $185,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Nebraska averages 1.54%.