Best Cities for Small Business in Nebraska
Nebraska ranks #7 of 50 for small business, with a small business score of 73.6. Papillion is its best city for small business at 66.9.
- Nebraska, all states
- #7 of 50
- Population
- 25,244
Why Nebraska Works for Small Business
Nebraska ranks #7 out of 50 for small business owners and entrepreneurs — one of the most business-friendly environments in the country. The state's fiscal health score of 71/100 signals a well-managed state government with sustainable finances — the kind of stability that benefits long-term business planning.
Tax policy directly impacts the bottom line. Nebraska's overall tax burden is 8.78% of income, with a 5.2% income tax rate that applies to both personal and pass-through business income. The 6.98% combined sales tax rate is moderate and worth factoring into pricing strategy. The economic environment (score: 57/100) with 3% unemployment indicates tight labor markets — good for consumer spending but potentially challenging for hiring.
Population growth of 0.62% is a tailwind — a growing customer base and expanding labor pool benefit most small businesses. The education system (score: 64/100) produces a reasonably well-prepared workforce. A typical home value of $280,673 helps attract and retain employees who can afford to live nearby.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Small Business
| # City | Grade | Small Business score | Overall | Household finances | Economy | Growth | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Papillion | A+ | 66.9 | 68.8 | 79 | 75 | 44 | 25,244 |
| 2Gretna | A | 65.2 | 65.3 | 87 | 77 | 30 | 9,193 |
| 3Bellevue | B+ | 58.6 | 61.8 | 63 | 61 | 45 | 64,510 |
| 4Chalco | B | 57.0 | 56.4 | 69 | 44 | — | 10,595 |
| 5Lincoln | B+ | 56.2 | 60.2 | 48 | 58 | 53 | 294,856 |
| 6Kearney | B | 54.9 | 58.3 | 48 | 59 | 48 | 34,246 |
| 7Fremont | B | 54.9 | 57.2 | 50 | 57 | 49 | 27,567 |
| 8Columbus | B | 54.8 | 58.3 | 48 | 55 | 46 | 24,488 |
| 9Norfolk | B | 54.6 | 58.4 | 40 | 52 | 58 | 26,054 |
| 10La Vista | B+ | 53.5 | 60.4 | 62 | 41 | 31 | 16,563 |
| 11Omaha | B | 52.8 | 56.8 | 47 | 55 | 42 | 488,837 |
| 12Hastings | B | 52.3 | 56.7 | 41 | 54 | 43 | 25,008 |
| 13South Sioux City | C+ | 49.1 | 54.2 | 47 | 29 | 43 | 13,907 |
| 14Grand Island | C+ | 48.6 | 53.8 | 40 | 48 | 39 | 52,884 |
| 15York | C+ | 48.3 | 53.1 | 47 | 25 | 40 | 8,141 |
| 16Gering | C+ | 47.6 | 55.6 | 50 | 35 | 29 | 8,550 |
| 17Lexington | C+ | 45.3 | 53.6 | 44 | 28 | 23 | 10,862 |
| 18North Platte | C | 42.1 | 51.0 | 37 | 20 | 29 | 22,831 |
| 19Beatrice | C | 41.0 | 51.5 | 33 | 19 | 31 | 12,225 |
| 20Scottsbluff | D | 38.5 | 45.7 | 36 | 19 | 24 | 14,376 |
City small business 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.
Compare: States with Similar Small Business Rankings
Also See: Nebraska for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nebraska a good state for small business?
Nebraska ranks #7 out of 50 for small business with a persona-weighted score of 73.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (82/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (22/100).
What is the best city for small business in Nebraska?
Papillion ranks #1 in Nebraska for small business with a score of 66.9/100, followed by Gretna and Bellevue.
What factors are most important for small business in Nebraska?
Rankings weighted toward business-friendly tax climate, strong economy, population growth, workforce quality, and transportation infrastructure — what matters when starting or running a small business.