Omaha, Nebraska's largest city, offers a dynamic and friendly Midwestern atmosphere. But before you start exploring the city's delectable steakhouses and renowned college baseball scene, finding the right apartment is key. The good news is, Omaha boasts a diverse rental market catering to a variety of lifestyles and budgets.
Besides beingvery inexpensive, Omaha is a lot like other urban centers
Omaha, Nebraska's largest city, offers a dynamic and friendly Midwestern atmosphere. But before you start exploring the city's delectable steakhouses and renowned college baseball scene, finding the right apartment is key. The good news is, Omaha boasts a diverse rental market catering to a variety of lifestyles and budgets.
Besides beingvery inexpensive, Omaha is a lot like other urban centers. That is to say that when renting an apartment, you should expect to encounter the basic gamut of industry guidelines: Landlords and apartment managers generally desire a lease from you. The timeline on these contracts can range from a month-to-month contract (the gig affording you the most freedom: these are rare in Omaha) to six-months or longer. In other words, be prepared to commit to the right thing.
Some landlords will offer gas-included leases, which means you won’t need to sport that oh-so fashionable indoors sweater look in wintertime. It’s not as rare as it is in some Midwestern towns to find an all utilities-included unit. If you’re not so lucky, however, budget around $60/month in summer and double that figure in winter.
The following rent averages come from current listings on our website. Rent prices listed are averages and may not reflect the cost of specific units. Rental prices can vary depending on factors like size, location, amenities, and availability.
On average, expect to pay around $1,068 per month for a studio apartment in Omaha.
The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Omaha is approximately $1,121 per month.
In Omaha, a 2-bedroom apartment typically rents for around $1,466 per month.
A 3-bedroom apartment in Omaha will cost, on average, $1,983 per month.
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Cars: Having a car is the most convenient way to get around Omaha, especially for navigating the spread-out city layout and reaching suburbs. Traffic congestion is generally mild compared to larger cities.
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Public Transportation: Omaha Metro operates a bus system with routes covering most of the city and extending to some surrounding areas. While fares are affordable, service frequency can be limited, and some residents find it less convenient than a car.
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Ridesharing: Services like Uber and Lyft are readily available throughout Omaha, offering a good on-demand option for getting around, particularly useful for evenings and weekends when bus service might be less frequent.
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Biking and Scooters: While not as extensive as in some other cities, Omaha has a growing network of bike lanes, and dockless bike and scooter rental options are available in some areas. This can be a good choice for short trips within a neighborhood or for connecting to a bus stop.
Finding a pet-friendly apartment in New York City can feel overwhelming, but don't despair! While the city boasts a vibrant mix of cultures and energy, pet policies can vary significantly.
- Weight & breed restrictions: While dogs are popular even in the busiest parts of the city, be aware that many buildings (especially high-rises) have weight or breed limits for pets, often stricter than other locations.
- Building size and amenities: Larger buildings and those with dedicated pet amenities like dog runs are more likely to be pet-friendly.
The good news? Major rental listing websites like Apartment List allow filtering by pet-friendliness. Simply select “Dog-Friendly” or “Cat-Friendly” in your preferences when you start your search.
Still have questions about renting in Omaha? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions from people who are moving to the city for the first time:
Omaha's rental prices place the city at # 78 among the most expensive cities in the nation for renters. As of April 2024, the median rate for a one-bedroom in the city was $1,021, which we estimate would require a salary of a little over $40,000 to comfortably afford.
Here are some of the top reasons that renters consider Omaha:
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Affordable living: Omaha boasts a lower cost of living compared to the national average. This applies to housing, groceries, and overall expenses, allowing you to stretch your dollar further.
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Strong job market: Omaha has a diverse and stable economy with a low unemployment rate. The city is a hub for industries like insurance, healthcare, and transportation.
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Family-friendly atmosphere: Omaha offers a safe and secure environment with good public schools, making it a great place to raise a family. There are also many parks, recreational centers, and family-oriented activities.
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Thriving cultural scene: Omaha offers a surprising amount of cultural attractions for a Midwestern city, including world-class museums, a renowned zoo, and a lively performing arts scene.
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Foodie destination: Omaha goes beyond its reputation as the "Steak Capital of the Nation". The city boasts a diverse culinary scene with a growing selection of restaurants, breweries, and farmers markets.
Don’t have the spare time to walk every block in this town to find the right neighborhood? That’s why we did it for you. Check out these gems:
Downtown's pretty energizing, but unless you’re rollin’ in it (studios for $1000/month and up?), you should probably check out nearby Old Market. The prices don’t reduce drastically, but enough to make you feel like you’re actually getting your money’s worth. Be forewarned, however: this is yuppie central. 1BRs for $700/month and up. 2BR condos for well less than twice that amount. Look for the units with parking included!
Dundee is hip and boasts lots of great housing. The commercial scene is a little fancy and overdone, but you’ll still find lots of youthful Brooklyn-types here. Hate it when they place the kombucha in hard-to-find places at Whole Foods? You’ll fit right in. Studios for $450/month and 1BRs for $575/month and up.
Midtown is known for its classic-looking old brick buildings—and you’d be surprised how many of these are apartment complexes. Heaps of condos and duplexes, too. Think of it as your mid-range option. You won’t be sacrificing too much “urbanity” to be here, but it’s also going to be more affordable than other sectors closer to the river. A good rule of thumb is $500/month for a 1BR. Don’t fall for a 2BR (or even 3BR, if it’s a duplex) over a thousand per month unless there’s a jetport on the roof.
Further out is Benson, a quaint alternative to Dundee. Hip? Check. Inexpensive? Check. Just don’t expect more than one tapas restaurant and one solid coffeehouse per ten-block radius around these parts. (On the other hand, there are some rockin’ music venues out on Maple Street). Sometimes 1BRs fall below $500/month, but then again so do 2BRs—so shack up!
Boom! New Omaha pad, here you come. Please just don’t invite your neighbors over for a Bright Eyes listening session, followed by impromptu readings of Malcolm and Willa. That was so 2000s.
