Best Cities for Families in Nebraska
Nebraska ranks #12 of 50 for families, with a families score of 78.8. Papillion is its best city for families at 70.8.
- Nebraska, all states
- #12 of 50
- Population
- 25,244
Why Nebraska Works for Families
Nebraska is a strong state for families, ranking #12 out of 50. With strong schools, a low violent crime rate of 218.4 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $76,376, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs are notably affordable with a cost-of-living index of 90.1.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Nebraska shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 87.1%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 64/100. Center-based infant care runs $15,080 a year — a meaningful expense, close to the 50-state average.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Nebraska excels here with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country at 218.4 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). The low cost of living (index: 90.1) means family budgets stretch further here than in most states, leaving more room for savings, activities, and college funds.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Papillion | A+ | 70.8 | 68.8 | 64 | 99 | 74 | 25,244 |
| 2Gretna | A | 68.8 | 65.3 | 65 | — | 69 | 9,193 |
| 3La Vista | B+ | 67.3 | 60.4 | 67 | 94 | 76 | 16,563 |
| 4Bellevue | B+ | 65.0 | 61.8 | 54 | 92 | 77 | 64,510 |
| 5Gering | C+ | 63.7 | 55.6 | 53 | 97 | 88 | 8,550 |
| 6Lexington | C+ | 63.1 | 53.6 | 67 | 94 | 87 | 10,862 |
| 7Lincoln | B+ | 62.5 | 60.2 | 53 | 66 | 78 | 294,856 |
| 8South Sioux City | C+ | 62.4 | 54.2 | — | 82 | 85 | 13,907 |
| 9Norfolk | B | 62.0 | 58.4 | 62 | 86 | 86 | 26,054 |
| 10Columbus | B | 61.8 | 58.3 | 53 | 96 | 86 | 24,488 |
| 11Beatrice | C | 61.7 | 51.5 | 54 | 98 | 90 | 12,225 |
| 12Hastings | B | 61.4 | 56.7 | 60 | 81 | 88 | 25,008 |
| 13North Platte | C | 61.1 | 51.0 | 60 | 88 | 88 | 22,831 |
| 14Kearney | B | 60.5 | 58.3 | 52 | 84 | 84 | 34,246 |
| 15Fremont | B | 59.5 | 57.2 | 52 | 83 | 84 | 27,567 |
| 16Omaha | B | 59.4 | 56.8 | 51 | 64 | 78 | 488,837 |
| 17Chalco | B | 59.4 | 56.4 | — | — | 78 | 10,595 |
| 18York | C+ | 59.4 | 53.1 | 61 | 79 | 88 | 8,141 |
| 19Grand Island | C+ | 57.8 | 53.8 | 56 | 70 | 85 | 52,884 |
| 20Scottsbluff | D | 51.5 | 45.7 | 58 | 42 | 88 | 14,376 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Nebraska for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nebraska a good state for families?
Nebraska ranks #12 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 78.8/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (82/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (22/100).
What is the best city for families in Nebraska?
Papillion ranks #1 in Nebraska for families with a score of 70.8/100, followed by Gretna and La Vista.
What factors are most important for families in Nebraska?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.