Located smack dab in the middle of what some refer to as “flyover country”, Omaha has always felt like a hidden gem to many who live here. With a great cost of living, reasonable housing costs, and all kinds of things to do, Omaha felt like our little secret.
Well, the secret is out.
Forbes ranked Omaha as the No. 1 city to move to in 2024, announcing Omaha’s status as an ideal living destination. Here are the factors that make Omaha stand out as a great place to live.
Omaha is Very Affordable
Simply put, you can live comfortably and happily in Omaha. The cost of living in Omaha is 7% lower than the national average, with housing rates and utilities falling below what you’ll find in much of America. It’s cheaper to both buy a home ($276,386 median home price in Omaha vs. $359,099 for the United States) and rent ($1,051/month in Omaha vs. $1,559/month nationally) in Omaha, and things like food, transportation, and utilities typically cost less in Omaha than the national average.
While there are areas of the country where you can make more money, Omaha’s average salary is right in line with the standard in the Midwest, and its unemployment rate is among the lowest in the country. Omaha is consistently listed among the best U.S. cities to get a job, and it boasts multiple Fortune 500 companies, including Union Pacific, Mutual of Omaha, and Berkshire Hathaway.
Omaha is a Great Place to Raise a Family
Omaha is regarded as one of the nation’s more family-friendly cities, and for good reason. In addition to its affordability and strong economy, Omaha has a well-regarded school system, allows you to experience all four seasons, and has excellent health care. Omaha also boasts tremendous work/life balance, as commute times are generally low and parents have plenty of opportunities to be with their children.
There’s a Lot to Do in Omaha
Omaha might not be thought of as an entertainment hotbed, but there are plenty of great attractions all over the city. The most well-known is the Henry Doorly Zoo, widely acknowledged as one of the best—if not the best—zoos in America. With more than 17,000 animals of 962 species and 17 state-of-the-art exhibits, one can visit the zoo several times and not experience all it has to offer.
Popular artists and traveling acts frequently include Omaha in their tours. In 2024 alone, Omaha hosted concerts featuring Jason Isbell, Lionel Richie, Billie Eilish, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Tim McGraw, and Lainey Wilson, just to name a few. The CHI Health Center in particular is a draw for events such as Disney on Ice, the NCAA Basketball Tournament, and massive auto shows.
Sports fans in Omaha have their calendars stuffed. Each summer, the 8 best teams in college baseball gather in Omaha for the College World Series, a two-week event that crowns the sport’s champion, and the tailgating just outside the stadium is nearly as epic as the thrillers inside it. Omaha also has professional soccer (Union Omaha) and volleyball (Omaha Supernovas) teams, as well as the AAA team for the Kansas City Royals, the Omaha Storm Chasers.
Art and history junkies have all kinds of exhibits to peruse at The Joslyn and The Durham Museum and by walking around The Old Market. And nature enthusiasts will enjoy all the spaces to explore at the Lauritzen Gardens and Fontenelle Forest.
Where Omaha really shines, though, is in its food scene, as the city has been recognized as a growing restaurant paradise. It’s beginning to receive national recognition, especially with chefs at The Boiler Room and Yoshitomo being named finalists for James Beard Awards in recent years. Omaha’s food scene has the whole spectrum covered, from critically-acclaimed burgers at Block 16 to six-course tasting menus Au Courant and everything in between.
Bottom line, it’s not hard to see why people want to live in Omaha. Its affordability, job market, and abundance of things to do and places to eat makes it great for families and young professionals alike!
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