Omaha, NE, known as 'The Gateway to the West,' offers a unique blend of Midwestern charm and modern amenities. Located in eastern Nebraska, Omaha is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Lincoln and Council Bluffs enhance its status as a central point in the region. Omaha's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Omaha is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, the Joslyn Art Museum, and the historic Old Market district. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Lauritzen Gardens to the bustling Aksarben Village, known for its dining and entertainment options. Omaha's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from farm-to-table cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the College World Series and the Omaha Summer Arts Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Omaha's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Creighton University and the University of Nebraska Omaha contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Omaha is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Omaha Symphony and the Holland Performing Arts Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Omaha provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Omaha’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Storm Chasers (MiLB) and Union Omaha (USL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Omaha include finance, healthcare, and transportation, with significant employers such as Berkshire Hathaway and Union Pacific driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and a developing streetcar system, making commuting convenient for residents.
Amenities
A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Crime
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
Omaha, Nebraska is a large city with a population of 479,529 inhabitants. With a population density of 3,365 people per square mile, Omaha is well above the nation's average density level. According to the most recent Census, 76% of Omaha residents are White, 12% Black and 4% Asian. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Omaha is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Omaha, Nebraska could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like crime, cost of living, health & safety, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Omaha and in the areas around Omaha is a much easier task.
Using data and statistics Omaha has received a livability score of 82 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 96th percentile when compared to all other cities. Clearly, Omaha is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Omaha is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. Based on the grades for each individual category, Omaha has received high marks for amenities (A+), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). Omaha does not do well for the following: crime (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Omaha, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Omaha undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Omaha are: Henry Doorly Zoo, Old Market, and Old Market.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Omaha has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Omaha is actually affordable. The median home price for Omaha homes is $167,800, which is 22.2% higher than the Nebraska average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Omaha, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 8% higher than the Nebraska average.
| Statistic | Omaha | Nebraska | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 18min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.2% | 81.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.1% | 9.4% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.4% | 0.7% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.1% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.8% | 4.3% | 4.6% |
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