El Paso, Texas, and Omaha, Nebraska are unique cities, each with their attributes that attract residents and tourists alike. El Paso, located at the border of Mexico and the US, boasts a rich Hispanic culture, warm weather, and low cost of living. Omaha, nestled in the Midwest, is noted for its stable economy, low unemployment rate, and a small-town feel in a large metropolitan area. This comparison will help those considering relocation or a trip to these cities understand their dynamics better.
Distance between
El Paso, TX and
Omaha, NE : 871.7 miles
El Paso's population is larger by 39%. Its population has grown by 114,753 people (20.4%) since 2000. The population of Omaha has grown by 97,293 people (24.9%) during that time.
El Paso is nationally recognized as one of the safest large cities in the US. Its crime rate is much lower than the national average, making it very appealing for families. On the other hand, Omaha has a slightly higher crime rate than the national average. It's not considered dangerous, but neighborhoods vary and some crime hotspots exist.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,274 registered sex offenders living in El Paso and 1,375 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in El Paso is 536 to 1; the ratio in Omaha is 325 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a smaller in El Paso than in Omaha.
Cost of Living
El Paso enjoys a relatively low cost of living compared to the national average. This benefits low and middle-class families. Omaha also has a low cost of living but is slightly higher than El Paso, primarily because of the higher housing costs.
Income Tax
In Texas, residents enjoy the privilege of having no city or state income tax. Nebraska, however, imposes a city tax for Omaha residents and a state income tax ranging from 2.46% to 6.84% based on income.
Property Tax
Property taxes in both cities are high compared to the national average. El Paso homeowners pay a median property tax of 2.13%, while Omaha residents pay 2% of the assessed home value.
Sales Tax
El Paso residents pay an 8.25% sales tax, while Omaha residents pay 7%. Texas doesn't have a state income tax, which may appeal to those with higher incomes. In contrast, Nebraska does levy a state income tax with rates ranging from 2.46% to 6.84%.
Income
Type
El Paso
Omaha
Estimated median household income
$51,241
$62,948
Estimated per capita income
$25,670
$38,062
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
82.2
89.4
If you make $50,000 in El Paso, you will have to make $54,380 in Omaha to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
El Paso sits in the Chihuahuan Desert on the Rio Grande and features spectacular mountain views. Omaha is situated on the Missouri River and characterized by rolling hills, providing a rich agricultural landscape.
El Paso's public education system is managed by several different school districts, the largest being the El Paso Independent School District. Omaha, on the other hand, is served by Omaha Public Schools and several private institutions. Both cities face educational challenges typical for urban areas, but they also feature programs to address these issues.
Both cities exhibit diverse economies. El Paso's economy is largely driven by federal government jobs, education, and healthcare. Omaha, dubbed the "Silicon Prairie," has a strong economy with significant contributions from finance, insurance, and technology sectors.
Biggest Employers
In El Paso, the biggest employers are the US government and the local school districts. In Omaha, the five Fortune 500 companies headquartered there are among the city's largest employers - Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific Railroad, Mutual of Omaha, Kiewit Corporation, and TD Ameritrade.
There were 1,961 building permits issued in El Paso in 2012 (1005 less than in 2011) compared to 1,620 building permits issued in Omaha in 2012 (460 more than in 2011).
In El Paso (El Paso County), 65.5% voted for Democrats and 33.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Omaha (Douglas County), 47.5% voted for Democrats and 50.6% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
El Paso
Omaha
El Paso
Omaha
El Paso
Omaha
2020
66.8%
54.4%
31.6%
43.1%
1.6%
2.5%
2016
69.1%
47.3%
26.0%
45.0%
4.9%
7.7%
2012
65.5%
47.5%
33.2%
50.6%
1.3%
1.9%
2008
66.0%
51.7%
33.4%
47.0%
0.6%
1.3%
2004
56.2%
40.4%
43.3%
58.6%
0.5%
1.0%
2000
57.9%
40.1%
39.8%
55.2%
2.3%
4.7%
1996
62.3%
39.3%
32.1%
51.4%
5.6%
9.3%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
El Paso
Omaha
El Paso
Omaha
CATHOLIC CHURCH
43.2%
24.0%
11.3%
11.8%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
3.3%
1.5%
26.6%
5.2%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.3%
1.6%
1.7%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.2%
2.5%
1.0%
4.3%
SALVATION ARMY
0.2%
0.4%
0.4%
0.9%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.1%
0.5%
1.0%
1.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
4.1%
1.0%
6.6%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.1%
0.9%
0.2%
0.7%
Weather
Weather is a significant contrast between the two cities. El Paso experiences a desert climate, with most days sunny and sweltering in summers and mild winters. Omaha, however, has a more temperate climate. It experiences all four seasons with hot, humid summers, and cold, snowy winters.
Weather and climate
Type
El Paso
Omaha
Temperature - Average
64.6°F
50.6°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
42.7%
75.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
42.8%
35%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
59.8%
87%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
17%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
9.4 in
30 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
10.7 in
57.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
31.8%
18.4%
Sunshine amount - Average
89.4%
66.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
13.9%
27%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
89.3%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
75.4%
47%
Wind speed - Average
8.9 mph
10.8 mph
Average climate in El Paso, Texas
Average climate in Omaha, Nebraska
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
El Paso
Omaha
El Paso
Omaha
El Paso
El Paso
Omaha
El Paso
Omaha
El Paso
Omaha
El Paso
Omaha
El Paso
Omaha
2018
139
75
0.17
0.18
14.0
N/A
32.0
26.7
N/A
N/A
35.7
19.3
9.2
8.4
N/A
0.5
2017
173
76
0.19
0.19
13.0
N/A
30.5
26.3
N/A
N/A
40.4
21.6
9.5
9.6
0.5
0.9
2016
148
80
0.17
0.18
12.6
N/A
30.6
26.3
N/A
N/A
35.2
19.3
9.2
8.1
0.5
0.7
2015
112
79
0.18
0.20
12.7
N/A
30.8
26.9
N/A
N/A
31.2
20.3
8.0
9.3
0.5
0.9
2014
157
80
0.13
0.23
12.8
N/A
30.0
27.9
N/A
N/A
40.3
23.5
9.7
8.8
0.4
1.2
2013
211
79
0.23
0.20
14.1
N/A
30.5
28.0
N/A
N/A
43.9
26.9
10.8
9.3
0.4
1.4
2012
229
100
0.30
0.21
15.9
N/A
31.6
27.1
N/A
N/A
40.2
39.0
11.6
8.4
0.4
1.6
2011
221
96
0.23
0.21
15.9
N/A
31.2
25.4
N/A
N/A
34.7
32.9
11.6
9.2
0.5
1.6
2010
211
102
0.25
N/A
15.3
N/A
29.4
28.0
N/A
N/A
28.8
43.2
7.9
10.5
0.3
2.1
2009
117
73
0.23
N/A
15.4
N/A
29.5
24.3
N/A
N/A
28.6
28.7
8.3
N/A
0.3
1.8
2008
210
104
0.25
N/A
15.2
N/A
30.1
26.9
0.017
N/A
34.6
45.0
9.7
18.9
0.6
1.1
2007
134
109
0.28
0.51
13.9
N/A
30.6
29.0
0.019
N/A
40.5
N/A
8.4
16.5
0.4
1.7
2006
241
86
0.37
0.50
14.3
N/A
30.6
30.0
0.018
N/A
55.0
N/A
11.1
13.0
0.3
1.3
2005
159
78
0.43
0.47
13.1
N/A
29.6
32.8
0.013
N/A
44.5
N/A
9.6
12.9
0.6
2.8
2004
183
51
0.38
0.44
13.5
N/A
29.2
30.9
0.020
N/A
47.3
N/A
8.2
N/A
0.4
1.5
2003
278
50
0.46
0.43
15.5
N/A
29.5
26.6
0.039
N/A
60.4
N/A
10.8
N/A
0.6
0.7
2002
203
48
0.43
0.38
16.4
N/A
30.5
27.6
0.034
0.030
53.3
N/A
11.0
N/A
0.4
1.1
2001
139
39
0.51
0.35
15.5
N/A
28.7
25.0
0.046
0.038
N/A
N/A
9.8
N/A
0.7
0.4
2000
145
44
0.67
0.50
17.8
N/A
27.8
26.1
0.072
0.049
N/A
N/A
9.1
N/A
1.0
0.5
Natural disasters
Type
El Paso
Omaha
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
4.2%
191.9%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
524.4%
415.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
11%
21%
Transportation
In both cities, most residents rely on personal vehicles for transportation. Both cities' public transit systems are not robust, but El Paso also offers a new streetcar system linking downtown with the University of Texas at El Paso.
Transport
Type
El Paso
Omaha
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
331
405
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
6
24
Means of transportation to work
Type
El Paso
Omaha
Bicycle
0.3%
0.2%
Bus
1.3%
0.7%
Carpooled
11.2%
8.2%
Car alone
83.4%
87.8%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.1%
Walked
1.6%
2%
Average travel time to work
Type
El Paso
Omaha
Average
25.1 min
22.5 min
Other means
22.2 min
18.8 min
Public transportation
46.4 min
39 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
El Paso
Omaha
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
88.5%
90.4%
In 2 person carpool
7.9%
6.9%
In 3 person carpool
2.1%
1.4%
In 4 person carpool
0.7%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.7%
0.6%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in El Paso is generally cheaper than the national average, with diverse residential options. On the other hand, Omaha real estate, while also affordable, tends to have higher price points than El Paso.
Neighborhoods
El Paso's neighborhoods are characterized by a mix of Hispanic culture in neighborhoods like Segundo Barrio and more modern, suburban areas like West El Paso. Omaha houses diverse neighborhoods like the historic Old Market and the upscale West Omaha.
Houses and residents
Type
El Paso
Omaha
Houses
261,779
212,802
Average household size (people)
3
2.5
Median year apartment built
1982
1976
Median year house/condo built
1985
1970
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.7 years
13.3 years
Houses occupied
242,529 (92.6%)
201,469 (94.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
147,788 (60.9%)
117,404 (58.3%)
Houses occupied by renters
94,741 (39.1%)
84,065 (41.7%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$570.82
$892.09
Median monthly housing costs
$939
$1,119
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$227,007
$261,376
Estimated median house or condo value
$152,800
$211,900
Median numbers of rooms
5.4
5.8
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.2
7.1
Median house price - detached houses
$187,761
$249,098
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$191,723
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$75,782
$100,661
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$266,003
$319,464
Median house price - mobile homes
$43,095
$35,876
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$149,459
$186,544
Median house price - All housing units
$186,951
$246,177
Median house age
38
49
Renting percentage
39.6%
41.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,051
1,839.2
House value disparities
32.7%
33.1%
Household income disparities
46.6%
45.6%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$74,665
$98,149
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$52,954
$71,454
Housing units without a mortgage
1,889 (2.2%)
2,417 (2.9%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
2,956 (3.4%)
7,375 (8.9%)
Housing units with a mortgage
84,973 (97.8%)
80,503 (97.1%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
250 (0.3%)
335 (0.4%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
3,635 (4.2%)
9,200 (11.1%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
14
12
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2%
1.6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
2%
0.7%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
El Paso
Omaha
One, detached
67.7%
63.2%
One, attached
4.4%
3.9%
Two
2.4%
1.5%
3 or 4
4.1%
2.2%
5 to 9
5.9%
6.8%
10 to 19
5.8%
8.3%
20 to 49
2.4%
5.3%
50 or more
4.8%
8.1%
Mobile homes
2.3%
0.6%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.2%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
19,650
11,886
State government workers
12,525
7,835
Unpaid family workers
901
205
Industries and Occupations
El Paso's largest industries are education, healthcare, and federal government, reflecting the leading employers. In contrast, Omaha hosts significant finance, insurance, and telecommunications sectors.
Health care facilities in both cities are robust. El Paso has several quality hospitals, including the well-rated University Medical Center of El Paso. In Omaha, residents have access to world-renowned hospitals, such as the Nebraska Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
El Paso
Omaha
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
El Paso and Omaha both have growing infrastructures but in different ways. El Paso is investing in public projects like road improvements and community centers, while Omaha has a focus on revitalizing its downtown and riverfront areas with new developments.
Infrastructure
Type
El Paso
Omaha
Hospitals
41
23
TV stations
10
19
Arenas or stadiums
2
2
Bank branches located here
89
183
Bank institutions located here
19
31
Main business address for public companies
7
30
Nuclear power plants nearby
0
1
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
0
8
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
El Paso
Omaha
1999
1,994
1,177
2000
993
545
2001
704
390
2002
594
441
2003
1,268
747
2004
1,646
1,022
2005
2,316
1,055
2006
2,701
1,083
2007
2,051
646
2008
1,034
318
2009
454
220
Culture and Food
El Paso is renowned for its rich Hispanic culture, which is reflected in its food, events, music, and architecture. Omaha has a more Midwestern feel, with a vibrant food scene that goes beyond steaks, and an energetic arts and music environment.
Sports Teams
El Paso has minor league sports teams like the El Paso Chihuahuas (baseball) and El Paso Locomotive FC (soccer), while Omaha hosts the College World Series and is home to the Omaha Storm Chasers, a minor league baseball team.
El Paso, TX
Omaha, NE
El Paso, TX and 
Omaha, NE : 871.7 miles
