Los Angeles vs Omaha: cost of living compared
Omaha is 51% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. State income tax tops out around 5.84% in NE vs 9.3% in CA.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Moving between Los Angeles and Omaha presents a dramatic shift in overall cost of living. Los Angeles is considerably more expensive than the national average, while Omaha is noticeably more affordable. This substantial difference is primarily driven by housing costs, which are vastly higher in Los Angeles, though nearly all spending categories contribute to the overall disparity between the two metros.
Housing
Housing costs represent the largest financial gap. Both median home prices and typical one-bedroom rents are several times higher in Los Angeles compared to Omaha. Los Angeles often features a dense mix of housing, from apartments to detached homes, while Omaha tends to offer more spacious housing options, including many single-family residences. Property taxes and insurance costs can also vary significantly between these distinct markets.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities are all considerably higher in Los Angeles. Additionally, California's state income tax rate is higher than Nebraska's, impacting take-home pay. This means that nearly every aspect of routine spending, from groceries to medical care and getting around, will be noticeably more expensive in Los Angeles.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, a move involves significant lifestyle changes. Los Angeles offers a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, while Omaha experiences four distinct seasons, including cold winters and warm, humid summers. Los Angeles is a sprawling, densely populated area with extensive public transit options and longer average commutes. Omaha generally has a more relaxed pace, less traffic congestion, and shorter average commute times.
Bottom line
For households considering a move, the financial implications are profound. A budget that provides a comfortable lifestyle in Omaha would likely be stretched considerably in Los Angeles, primarily due to housing and higher everyday expenses. Conversely, moving from Los Angeles to Omaha would free up substantial financial resources, allowing for greater savings or discretionary spending, given the much lower cost of living across the board.
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | Omaha, NE |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 175 | 85 |
| Housing index | 201 | 67 |
| Transportation index | 129 | 80 |
| Food index | 112 | 88 |
| Healthcare index | 118 | 90 |
| Utilities index | 128 | 92 |
| Misc index | 118 | 82 |
| Median home price | $795,000 | $238,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $2,400/mo | $1,000/mo |
| Average commute | 34 min | 22 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Omaha home with the True Cost Calculator.