CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Omaha, NE Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
More AffordableNE
Omaha
91.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Omaha is moderately cheaper than Boulder — 12.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $69,900 in Omaha. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing45.0%
Boulder
157
Omaha
86.4
🛒 Groceries2.1%
Boulder
96.1
Omaha
94.1
🚗 Transportation6.9%
Boulder
104.8
Omaha
97.6
🏥 Healthcare6.9%
Boulder
94.8
Omaha
88.3
Utilities7.6%
Boulder
82.7
Omaha
76.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Boulder to see what you'd need to earn in Omaha to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Omaha, NE
$69,900
$10,100 less needed in Omaha

Formula: salary × (91.9 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 0.8736. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Omaha, NE

Median Home Price
$295,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Boulder has 45.0% lower housing costs compared to Omaha.

Income & Job Market

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

Omaha, NE

Median Household Income
$81,400
Per Capita Income
$46,400
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
Population
486,051
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceHealthcareTelecommunicationsManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Omaha, NE
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.