Whether you want to call it by its nickname, “Gateway to the West,” or just by its name, Omaha, NE, is one of the great cities to live in the Great Plains. With historic museums, concerts or stage shows to see each week, and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s no wonder Omaha is also home to roughly 487,300 people.
As more people are living in Omaha, it’s important to keep in mind that the median home sale price is $231,500 and the average price per square foot is $138. For renters, the average rent price for a 2-bedroom apartment in Omaha is $1,455.
Don’t worry if those numbers don’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. We’ve rounded up a list of the 10 best affordable Omaha suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 30-minute drive from the city. No matter where you live, you’ll still be close enough to Omaha to explore the city’s great neighborhoods without the price of living there.
#1: Council Bluffs, IA
Median home price: $174,250
Average sale price per square foot: $144
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,612
Driving distance from Omaha: 12 minutes
Council Bluffs, IA homes for sale
Council Bluffs, IA apartments for rent
Council Bluffs, IA, with a median home sale price of $174,250, comes in at number one on our list of most affordable Omaha suburbs. About a 12-minute drive away from downtown Omaha, Council Bluffs is home to roughly 62,800 residents. Living in Council Bluffs, you can visit Riverside Park, Lake Manawa, Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park, explore the Western Historic Trails Center or the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, and visit Bayliss Park, located in the heart of Council Bluffs.
#2: Ralston, NE
Median home price: $199,500
Average sale price per square foot: $132
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,695
Driving distance from Omaha: 15 minutes
Ralston, NE homes for sale
Ralston, NE apartments for rent
Ralston is just a little more expensive than Council Bluffs. Just about 15 minutes from Omaha, you can explore the Old Market Historic District or visit the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in just a quick drive. Living in Ralston, you’ll want to check out one of the many parks like Ralston Park and Wildewood Park or watch an Omaha Lancers game at Liberty First Credit Union Arena. When living in this suburb of 6,500 people, you can also spend the day checking out the charming downtown.
#3: Glenwood, IA
Median home price: $230,000
Average sale price per square foot: $126
Driving distance from Omaha: 30 minutes
Glenwood, IA homes for sale
Glenwood, IA apartments for rent
Just 30 minutes away, you’ll find the suburb of Glenwood, IA. Even with a population of about 5,100, there are plenty of cool things to check out in Glenwood. If you find yourself moving to the third most affordable suburb, make sure to visit Glenwood Lake Park where you’ll find Davies Amphitheater, Mills County Historical Museum, and Glenwood Lake.
#4: Bellevue, NE
Median home price: $249,000
Average sale price per square foot: $129
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,105
Driving distance from Omaha: 15 minutes
Bellevue, NE homes for sale
Bellevue, NE apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than Glenwood is Bellevue, the next suburb on our list. About 64,200 people live in this Omaha suburb, where you can spend the day at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center and the nearby Gifford Farm, explore the Old Towne Bellevue Historic District, and visit the Sarpy County Museum.
#5: Chalco, NE
Median home price: $260,000
Average sale price per square foot: $161
Driving distance from Omaha: 25 minutes
Chalco, NE homes for sale
Chalco, NE apartments for rent
Drive about 25 minutes outside of Omaha and you’ll find the suburb of Chalco, another great area to add to your list. With 11,100 residents, moving to this affordable suburb can keep you close enough to Omaha, without paying the premium for a home there. In Chalco, you can visit one of the many local parks.
#6: Plattsmouth, NE
Median home price: $274,500
Average sale price per square foot: $132
Driving distance from Omaha: 25 minutes
Plattsmouth, NE homes for sale
Plattsmouth, NE apartments for rent
A recognizable Omaha suburb is Plattsmouth, where the median home sale price is $274,500. Plattsmouth has about 6,500 residents and is a great suburb to consider renting or buying a house in. Whether you spend the afternoon at Rhylander Park, enjoy a sunny day at Twin Rivers Water Park, check out the shops and restaurants along Main Street, or grab a coffee at a local café, there are many activities to do and see in this suburb.
#7: La Vista, NE
Median home price: $280,000
Average sale price per square foot: $159
Driving distance from Omaha: 20 minutes
La Vista, NE homes for sale
La Vista, NE apartments for rent
Next on our list of affordable Omaha suburbs is La Vista, which is about a 20-minute drive into the city center. With a population of close to 16,700, you’ll be living in a smaller area, but there’s no shortage of things to do in La Vista. If you find yourself moving to this suburb, make sure to visit one of the many parks throughout the city.
#8: Papillion, NE
Median home price: $305,000
Average sale price per square foot: $142
Driving distance from Omaha: 25 minutes
Papillion, NE homes for sale
Papillion, NE apartments for rent
If you’ve lived in the Omaha area for some time, you may know our eighth suburb – Papillion. This affordable city is home to about 24,200 residents, so you’ll have a fraction of Omaha’s population while remaining only 25 minutes from the city. Once moving to Papillion you’ll want to explore the lakeside Walnut Creek Recreation Area, play a round of golf at Tara Hills Golf Course, and check out the expansive green spaces at Halleck Park.
#9: Blair, NE
Median home price: $386,500
Average sale price per square foot: $131
Driving distance from Omaha: 35 minutes
Blair, NE homes for sale
Blair, NE apartments for rent
Moving to Blair will give you access to downtown Omaha in close to 35 minutes – as long as you don’t find yourself in traffic. Just about 7,800 people live in this suburb, but you’ll find plenty to do in Blair.
#10: Gretna, NE
Median home price: $343,000
Average sale price per square foot: $132
Driving distance from Omaha: 30 minutes
Gretna, NE homes for sale
Gretna, NE apartments for rent
Gretna takes the last spot on our list of affordable Omaha suburbs you’ll want to consider moving to. If you’re lucky to avoid traffic, it’ll only take about 30 minutes to drive into Omaha. This suburb has a population of 5,100 and you can visit one of the green spaces and parks, a local restaurant, or the nearby Chalco Hills Recreation Area. There’s always something to check out while living in this charming town.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Omaha and under a 30-minute drive from downtown Omaha. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during March 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com March 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.