OmahaMoney Index August 2026
"Buffett's hometown rules."
Omaha — Money Index — Key Facts
- 19-Minute Commute. Omaha's one-way commute is just 19 minutes — 8 minutes shorter than the US average. That's ~146 hours a year behind the wheel instead of ~207.
- 13% of Land Is Parks. Roughly 13% of Omaha's land is parkland — about the big-city median.
- Ranked #7 of 50. Omaha ranks #7 of 50 on the PickYourBank US City Money Index — a blend of savings rate, income, affordability, happiness and work-life balance.
- Work-Life Balance: 65/100. Omaha scores 65/100 on work-life balance — one of the more livable big US metros.
- Median Household: $65k. Omaha households earn about $65k — roughly 13% below the US average.
- Financial Stress: 46/100. Money stress in Omaha sits at 46/100 — calmer than most big US cities.
- 60% Own Their Home. Only 60% of Omaha households own — well below the US average of ~65%. Most residents are still renting.
- Cost of Living: 92. Omaha's cost of living sits at 92 — basically the US baseline (100 = US average).
- 14% Savings Rate. Omaha households save about 14% of income — well above the ~8% US average. Quiet wealth, compounding fast.
- Happiness Score: 71/100. Residents rate life in Omaha a 71/100 — one of the happiest big metros in the country.
Omaha — home to Warren Buffett — exemplifies low-cost living and high-discipline saving.
With a median household income of ~$65k, a 14% savings rate, and a cost-of-living index of 92, Omaha ranks #7 of 50 US cities in our overall money index.
Green space & commute
Two underrated money levers: how long you spend getting to work, and how much nature you can reach without paying for it.
About 13% of Omaha's land is parkland — roughly in line with the typical big US city.
- • Source: Trust for Public Land ParkScore
- • Parks lower stress and lift nearby property values
- • Free recreation = zero-cost lifestyle upgrade
Omaha has a short ~19-minute one-way commute — well below the US average of ~27 minutes. Time saved compounds: 10 minutes less per day ≈ 80 hours and a few hundred dollars in fuel every year.
- • Source: US Census ACS mean one-way travel time
- • Owning a car runs ~$10k/year on average in the US
- • 10 fewer commute minutes/day ≈ 80 hours back per year
Typical Omaha household budget
Modeled split of $100 of after-tax income, scaled to Omaha's cost of living and savings rate.
How Omaha feels about money
Four Omaha money truths
Omaha's savings rate runs 14% — automate even one extra percentage point and you compound serious money over a decade.
Omaha is cheaper than the US average — your paycheck stretches noticeably further than in coastal metros.
Owning unlocks fixed housing costs and equity. Renters here can still build wealth — just channel the difference into index funds and a high-yield savings account.
Nebraska residents in Omaha report a 71/100 happiness score with stress at 46/100 — money habits and lifestyle here track that mix closely.
"Omaha is the headquarters of Berkshire Hathaway and one of the most affordable big cities."
Money lessons from Omaha
- 1
Live below your means, always
- 2
Invest in what you understand
- 3
Patience beats prediction
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Omaha money FAQ
Is Omaha, Nebraska a good city for saving money?+
Omaha households save about 14% of income, with a happiness score of 71/100 and a work-life balance score of 65/100. Omaha — home to Warren Buffett — exemplifies low-cost living and high-discipline saving.
What is the median household income in Omaha?+
The median household income in Omaha, Nebraska is roughly $65,000 per year. About 54% of households have a 3-month emergency fund.
How affordable is Omaha?+
Omaha's cost of living index sits at 92 (100 = US average). Homeownership stands at 60%.
How long is the average commute in Omaha?+
Omaha has a short ~19-minute one-way commute — well below the US average of ~27 minutes. Time saved compounds: 10 minutes less per day ≈ 80 hours and a few hundred dollars in fuel every year.
How much urban green space does Omaha have?+
About 13% of Omaha's land is parkland — roughly in line with the typical big US city.
What money personality fits Omaha?+
The Saver — Frugal by nature; small wins compound into big wealth.
What's surprising about money in Omaha?+
Omaha is the headquarters of Berkshire Hathaway and one of the most affordable big cities.
