Best Cities for Young Professionals in Nebraska
Nebraska ranks #6 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 69.3. Papillion is its best city for young professionals at 63.7.
- Nebraska, all states
- #6 of 50
- Population
- 25,244
Why Nebraska Works for Young Professionals
Nebraska ranks #6 out of 50 for young professionals — a top destination for ambitious early-career workers. The state's economy scores 57/100, with 3% unemployment and a median household income of $76,376. Modest population growth of 0.62% suggests a stable but not booming market.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. Nebraska's cost-of-living index of 90.1 is significantly below the national average, meaning entry-level salaries go further here than in most metros. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. Nebraska's livability score of 32/100 is modest, which may matter to young professionals who value nightlife, dining, and cultural events. Transportation infrastructure scores well (56/100), with options beyond car dependency.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Papillion | A+ | 63.7 | 68.8 | 75 | 44 | 44 | 25,244 |
| 2Lincoln | B+ | 61.0 | 60.2 | 58 | 53 | 67 | 294,856 |
| 3Gretna | A | 59.6 | 65.3 | 77 | 30 | 50 | 9,193 |
| 4Kearney | B | 58.6 | 58.3 | 59 | 48 | 43 | 34,246 |
| 5Norfolk | B | 58.5 | 58.4 | 52 | 58 | 41 | 26,054 |
| 6Bellevue | B+ | 58.4 | 61.8 | 61 | 45 | 40 | 64,510 |
| 7Columbus | B | 58.3 | 58.3 | 55 | 46 | 46 | 24,488 |
| 8Fremont | B | 57.5 | 57.2 | 57 | 49 | 43 | 27,567 |
| 9Omaha | B | 57.0 | 56.8 | 55 | 42 | 58 | 488,837 |
| 10Hastings | B | 56.0 | 56.7 | 54 | 43 | 43 | 25,008 |
| 11South Sioux City | C+ | 53.4 | 54.2 | 29 | 43 | 68 | 13,907 |
| 12Chalco | B | 52.9 | 56.4 | 44 | — | 36 | 10,595 |
| 13La Vista | B+ | 52.6 | 60.4 | 41 | 31 | 45 | 16,563 |
| 14Grand Island | C+ | 52.1 | 53.8 | 48 | 39 | 42 | 52,884 |
| 15York | C+ | 51.4 | 53.1 | 25 | 40 | 56 | 8,141 |
| 16Gering | C+ | 49.9 | 55.6 | 35 | 29 | 38 | 8,550 |
| 17Lexington | C+ | 46.8 | 53.6 | 28 | 23 | 42 | 10,862 |
| 18Beatrice | C | 46.4 | 51.5 | 19 | 31 | 42 | 12,225 |
| 19North Platte | C | 45.8 | 51.0 | 20 | 29 | 45 | 22,831 |
| 20Scottsbluff | D | 41.8 | 45.7 | 19 | 24 | 45 | 14,376 |
City young professionals 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 Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: Nebraska for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nebraska a good state for young professionals?
Nebraska ranks #6 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 69.3/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (82/100) and its weakest is Livability (32/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in Nebraska?
Papillion ranks #1 in Nebraska for young professionals with a score of 63.7/100, followed by Lincoln and Gretna.
What factors are most important for young professionals in Nebraska?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.