Is Kearney or Omaha Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kearney is safer than Omaha (Safety Score 43/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 1,926 per 100,000 versus 3,534 for Omaha — 46% lower. Kearney has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Kearney has a 63% lower rate.
Note: Omaha is 13.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Kearney — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Omaha — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kearney, NE
Omaha, NE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kearney | Omaha | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,926.1 | 3,534.3 | -1,608.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 301.2 | 372.5 | -71.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.9 | 4.0 | -1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 98.5 | 46.2 | +52.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.4 | 46.9 | -29.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 182.5 | 272.0 | -89.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,624.9 | 3,161.8 | -1,536.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 168.0 | 235.9 | -67.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,349.8 | 2,264.3 | -914.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 107.2 | 661.6 | -554.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kearney or Omaha safer?
Kearney is safer with a total crime rate of 1,926 per 100K vs 3,534 for Omaha — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kearney has a violent crime rate of 301.2 per 100K while Omaha has 372.5. Kearney has lower violent crime.
About Kearney, NE
Kearney, Nebraska, a city bisected by the historic Transcontinental Railroad, sits on the Great Platte River Road. It's home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, contributing to a youthful demographic. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 34,525, Kearney has a total crime rate of 1,926.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Omaha, NE
Omaha, Nebraska, a Midwest hub known for its historic Old Market, sits on the Missouri River. This city of over 480,000 residents is also home to four Fortune 500 companies. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 480,235, Omaha has a total crime rate of 3,534.3 per 100,000 residents.