Omaha vs Washington: cost of living compared
Washington is 79% more expensive than Omaha overall. State income tax tops out around 5.84% in NE vs 8.5% in DC.
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 from Omaha to Washington means a substantially higher overall cost of living. This difference is largely driven by housing expenses, which are dramatically more expensive in Washington. Other categories like transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities also contribute to Washington's higher price tag, making nearly every aspect of daily life more costly.
Housing
Housing costs present the most significant difference, with both buying and renting being considerably more expensive in Washington. Median home prices are much higher there, and a typical one-bedroom rental commands a significantly larger monthly sum. Omaha generally offers more traditional single-family homes, while Washington features a mix of rowhouses, apartments, and detached homes, often with higher property taxes and insurance costs reflecting the greater value.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities are all noticeably higher in Washington compared to Omaha. Additionally, state income taxes are substantially higher in Washington. This means that beyond housing, the cost of getting around, groceries, medical care, and keeping your home comfortable will all require a larger portion of your income in Washington.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, a move involves lifestyle shifts. Washington offers a dense, urban environment with extensive public transit options and a faster pace, while Omaha is more spread out with a greater reliance on personal vehicles and a generally slower pace. Washington experiences a humid subtropical climate, while Omaha has a humid continental climate with more extreme seasonal temperature swings and a higher risk of severe weather.
Bottom line
A move from Omaha to Washington represents a substantial increase in financial outlay across the board. While Washington offers a distinct urban experience and different amenities, households should prepare for significantly higher expenses, particularly for housing and income taxes. Conversely, moving from Washington to Omaha would free up a considerable portion of a household budget due to the much lower cost of living.
| Measure | Omaha, NE | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 85 | 152 |
| Housing index | 67 | 155 |
| Transportation index | 80 | 138 |
| Food index | 88 | 112 |
| Healthcare index | 90 | 112 |
| Utilities index | 92 | 108 |
| Misc index | 82 | 118 |
| Median home price | $238,000 | $548,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,000/mo | $2,350/mo |
| Average commute | 22 min | 38 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Washington home with the True Cost Calculator.