Home › Compare › Sacramento, CA vs Omaha, NE

Cost of Living: Sacramento, CA 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.

22.9% Omaha, NE is cheaper overall
42.3% 42.3% cheaper housing
8.7% 8.7% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 42.3% cheaper
Sacramento
142
Omaha
82
🛒 Groceries 8.7% cheaper
Sacramento
104
Omaha
95
🚗 Transportation 14.3% cheaper
Sacramento
112
Omaha
96
🏥 Healthcare 11.1% cheaper
Sacramento
108
Omaha
96
⚡ Utilities 4.0% cheaper
Sacramento
100
Omaha
96

Detailed Breakdown

Category Sacramento, CA Omaha, NE Difference
Overall Cost Index1189122.9% less
Housing1428242.3% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,650$1,05036.4% less
Median Home Price$450,000$240,00046.7% less
Groceries104958.7% less
Transportation1129614.3% less
Healthcare1089611.1% less
Utilities100964.0% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Sacramento, CA Omaha, NE
State Income Tax13.30% (top)5.84% (top)
State Sales Tax7.25%5.50%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%1.54%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Sacramento, CA
$78,000
Median household income
Omaha, NE
$66,000
Median household income
✅ Good news: Income in Omaha outpaces the cost difference, so your purchasing power should hold up.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

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

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: Sacramento (118) vs Omaha (91). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Sacramento4.2%
Omaha3.0%
Job Growth (YoY)
Sacramento2.7%
Omaha2.6%
Top Industries
SacramentoGovernment, Healthcare, Agriculture
OmahaFinance, Insurance, Agriculture

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Sacramento27 min
Omaha20 min
Walk Score
Sacramento44
Omaha38
Air Quality (AQI)
Sacramento50
Omaha38
Avg Temperature
Sacramento61°F
Omaha51°F
Population
Sacramento524,943
Omaha486,051

Moving from Sacramento to Omaha?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers. Compare prices and save up to 40% on your move.

Get My Free Moving Estimate →
✓ 500+ vetted movers ✓ Free quotes in 24hrs ✓ No obligation

Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Sacramento 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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sacramento 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 42.3%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Sacramento vs Omaha?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,650/month in Sacramento and $1,050/month in Omaha — a difference of about $600 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Sacramento or Omaha?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. 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 Sacramento to Omaha?+
Median household income in Sacramento is $78,000 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 Sacramento vs Omaha?+
The median home price in Sacramento is $450,000 versus $240,000 in Omaha — a difference of $210,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Nebraska averages 1.54%.