Nebraska has a cost of living index of 72 (US average = 100) with a median household income of $65,895 and a population of 1,583,902. We ranked 15 cities based on affordability, income, housing value, and climate to find the best places to call home in Nebraska.
Papillion is 7% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $109,602 and a population of 24,063.
Bellevue is 12% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $87,343 and a population of 64,355.
Omaha is 14% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $72,708 and a population of 488,197.
Lincoln is 16% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $69,991 and a population of 291,932.
Chalco is 16% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $81,427 and a population of 10,625.
La Vista is 9% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $78,145 and a population of 16,594.
South Sioux City is 23% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $68,397 and a population of 13,871.
Fremont is 21% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $67,179 and a population of 27,321.
Kearney is 21% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $69,790 and a population of 34,024.
Columbus is 25% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $67,212 and a population of 24,188.
Grand Island is 25% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $62,439 and a population of 52,761.
Hastings is 29% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $61,202 and a population of 25,005.
Lexington is 27% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $62,364 and a population of 10,693.
North Platte is 28% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $57,805 and a population of 23,030.
Norfolk is 26% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $62,175 and a population of 25,962.
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average), income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau), housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates). Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.