The 5 Best Places
to Live in Nebraska

2026 Scientific Ranking: Best Places to Live in Nebraska

Methodology Brief
To determine the optimal residential locations within Nebraska for 2026, Ocity.org conducted a rigorous analysis of the state’s ten largest municipalities. Our ranking algorithm utilizes a weighted composite score derived from three core datasets: Safety (weighted 40%), Affordability (weighted 30%), and Economic Output (weighted 30%). Safety is quantified by the inverse of the violent crime rate per 100,000 residents; Affordability is determined by the median rent for a one-bedroom unit; and Economic Output is measured by median household income. This methodology prioritizes quantifiable quality-of-life metrics, excluding subjective qualitative factors, to identify statistically significant value propositions.

Top 3 Winners Deep Dive

Rank #1: Papillion
Papillion emerges as the definitive ranking leader, achieving the highest aggregate score by leveraging superior economic metrics and safety-optimized conditions. The city’s median income of $109,602 is the highest in the dataset, representing a 58.1% premium over the state median. This high-yield economic output is paired with a cost-efficient housing market, where the median rent for a one-bedroom unit is $878. Crucially, Papillion maintains a violent crime rate of 312/100k, aligning it with the safer cohort of analyzed cities. The convergence of top-tier income, competitive housing costs, and statistically significant safety makes Papillion the optimal high-performance residential environment in Nebraska.

Rank #2: Bellevue
Bellevue secures the second position, mirroring Papillion’s safety and affordability profiles while offering a distinct demographic scale. Like its top-ranked neighbor, Bellevue reports a violent crime rate of 312/100k and a median one-bedroom rent of $878. The city’s median income of $87,343 is robust, placing it in the top tier of economic output. While its population of 64,355 offers a more suburban density compared to Papillion, the data indicates no statistical degradation in safety or cost efficiency. Bellevue represents a high-yield alternative for those seeking a mid-sized city environment with economic stability comparable to the top-ranked location.

Rank #3: Kearney
Kearney achieves the third position as a standout performer in affordability. The city boasts the lowest median rent in the top ten at $678, a figure that is 22.8% below the average of the top three cities. This exceptional cost efficiency is achieved without a significant compromise in safety, maintaining the dataset’s lower-bound crime rate of 312/100k. While its median income of $69,790 is lower than the top two cities, the substantial savings on housing costs create a favorable net economic position. Kearney’s data profile demonstrates that high-value living is achievable through strategic cost optimization, making it a statistically significant choice for budget-conscious residents.

The 'Hidden Gem': Grand Island
For residents prioritizing the optimal balance of income and cost, Grand Island presents the highest value proposition. While ranked #7 due to a median income of $62,439, its median rent of $829 is highly competitive relative to its economic output. The critical metric is the Income-to-Rent Ratio, where Grand Island demonstrates superior efficiency. Furthermore, the city maintains a violent crime rate of 312/100k, aligning with the safer cities in the study. Grand Island offers a safety-optimized, economically efficient living environment that outperforms its ranking when evaluating pure cost-benefit value.

Full Rankings Table