I have lived in Omaha.
The rent is comparable, as you have noted, but, there are other factors.
They have no office in Omaha for medical or food stamp assistance. They outsource to another state. You have to apply online.
Expenses other than housing are cheaper than in Cali. Some by quite a bit.
Gang violence is much more than you might expect in corn country. A guy died in my front yard just before I moved away, bullets in his head.
The buses are set up differently, and so if you have to use them, it takes some getting used to, but the drivers are super, super, helpful and nice.
They have a spectacular zoo there, but lots steep hills.
You can rent a house for what it costs to rent an apartment most other places, but they are older homes. You have to be able to appreciate the charm enough of an older home to overlook the aging.
If you like wildlife, you can find it right in the city there. We had a troop of turkeys which followed the mailman in military style. He once fed them, so they figured it was his duty thereafter. I fed them a few times. Once they got hungry, and I had no food out. The alpha Tom came up the steps to the front door and knocked. I kid you not!
Jobs are good pickings in Omaha. It is like a huge country town, except for the violence. Like four hundred Mayberrys all stuck together.
On Thanksgiving, you can’t find one single restaurant or cafe open anywhere.
If you moved there alone, I believe you could do fine. If your husband went with you, he could find a job IF HE WANTS TO.
Me, I would go without him, and not take him back unless he gets himself there and gets settled into a steady job FIRST.
Promises are easy to make, it is just air coming out of you fancy. It is the follow through which takes devotion.
Welcome to Fluther. Whatever you decide, I hope you will stay with us.