Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Omaha?

Omaha, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Omaha?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $39,000 in Omaha.

Which has lower taxes, Newark or Omaha?

Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Omaha under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Newark vs Omaha Cost of Living 2026

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/mo est.

Omaha

Nebraska

$1,130/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,210 in Newark, NJ versus $1,130 in Omaha, NE. Overall, Omaha, NE is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $48,416 in Newark, NJ and $72,708 in Omaha, NE — about 33% higher in Omaha, NE. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Newark, NJ

Omaha, NE

Rent

Studio

$1,111

$908

+18% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$978

$984

+1% in Omaha, NE

2 Bedroom

$1,386

$1,193

+14% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,695

$1,437

+15% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$337,800

$230,100

+32% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$48,416

$72,708

+50% in Omaha, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$49,660

+19% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

35.3 yr

+0.5 yr in Omaha, NE

Homeownership

24.1%

57.7%

+33.6 pp in Omaha, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.4%

40.3%

+22.9 pp in Omaha, NE

Avg Commute

33.2 min

19.6 min

+13.6 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

582.5

359

+38% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

1,961.8

3,153.5

+61% in Omaha, NE

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

54.9°F

51.1°F

+3.8°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

46.3 in

30.6 in

+15.6 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Omaha, NE

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

Adult base one-way fare — — vs Metro Transit (Omaha) (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.3

13.6

+42% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.93

$15.53

+3% in Newark, NJ

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Omaha, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Newark, NJ

Average prices — Northeast vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / NE)

6.625%

5.5%

+1.1 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

4.55%

+6.2 pp in NJ

Newark vs Omaha — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Omaha?: Omaha, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Omaha?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Newark versus $39,000 in Omaha.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Omaha?: Newark is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Omaha under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).