Best places to live in Nebraska

What do you look for in an ideal town? Proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches? How about top-ranked schools for your children? Would you like a professional or college sports team nearby, or do you prefer museums and art walks?

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Nebraska using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.

#10. Bennington
- Population: 1,931
- Median home value: $212,400 (66% own)
- Median rent: $920 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $80,917
- Top public schools: Bennington Elementary School (A-), Heritage Elementary School (A-), Bennington Secondary School (A-)

#9. La Vista
- Population: 17,078
- Median home value: $154,300 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,030 (44% rent)
- Median household income: $68,551
- Top public schools: Papillion La Vista South High School (A-), Portal Elementary School (A-), Papillion La Vista Senior High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Primrose School of La Vista

#8. Chalco
- Population: 10,952
- Median home value: $153,100 (75% own)
- Median rent: $856 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $80,896
- Top public schools: Papillion La Vista South High School (A-), Portal Elementary School (A-), Holling Heights Elementary School (A-)

#7. Kearney
- Population: 33,464
- Median home value: $178,900 (59% own)
- Median rent: $767 (41% rent)
- Median household income: $57,064
- Top public schools: Meadowlark Elementary School (A-), Park Elementary School (A-), Buffalo Hills Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Kearney Catholic High School (B)

#6. Gretna
- Population: 5,037
- Median home value: $185,500 (64% own)
- Median rent: $971 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $83,103
- Top public schools: Palisades Elementary School (A), Gretna Middle School (A-), Squire John Thomas Elementary School (A-)

#5. Seward
- Population: 7,176
- Median home value: $158,700 (64% own)
- Median rent: $714 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $68,642
- Top public schools: Seward Middle School (A), Seward Elementary School (A-), Seward High School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. John Lutheran School

#4. Papillion
- Population: 20,423
- Median home value: $189,900 (66% own)
- Median rent: $917 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $80,619
- Top public schools: Papillion La Vista South High School (A-), Portal Elementary School (A-), Papillion La Vista Senior High School (A-)
- Top private schools: St. Columbkille School

#3. Chadron
- Population: 5,591
- Median home value: $127,200 (54% own)
- Median rent: $728 (46% rent)
- Median household income: $47,288
- Top public schools: Chadron Middle School (A-), Chadron Senior High School (A-), Chadron Intermediate School (B)

#2. Lincoln
- Population: 283,839
- Median home value: $169,800 (57% own)
- Median rent: $852 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $57,746
- Top public schools: Lincoln East High School (A), Southwest High School (A), Lux Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Pius X High School (A), Lincoln Christian School (A-), Parkview Christian Schools (B+)

#1. Omaha
- Population: 475,862
- Median home value: $159,700 (59% own)
- Median rent: $923 (41% rent)
- Median household income: $60,092
- Top public schools: Millard North High School (A+), Blue Sage Elementary School (A+), Elkhorn South High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Brownell Talbot School (A+), Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart (A+), Marian High School (A)