Top 10 Best Neighborhoods in Omaha: Start Fresh in the Gateway to the West

Omaha might be the largest city in Nebraska (and in the U.S.) with a population of just over 475,000, but that doesn’t mean living in Omaha is expensive. In fact, the best Omaha neighborhoods boast a low cost of living and plenty of job opportunities at some big-ticket companies, including Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific, and Kiewit Corporation.

There are plenty of fun things for the entire family to enjoy, like visiting Omaha Children’s Museum and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, plus plenty of opportunities to get outside at local parks and trails. The area is also known for its vibrant arts scene, with spots like the Joslyn Museum, which has an impressive collection of American and European art.

The city is known for its welcoming atmosphere and sense of community, with access to strong public and private schools, along with universities such as the University of Nebraska Omaha and Creighton University.

Omaha at a Glance

• Omaha’s population sits at 477,053.
• Retirees, families, young professionals, and students all enjoy the benefits that the city has to offer.
• The average home price in Omaha is $288,600 compared to $272,500 in the state and $369,100 nationally.
• The average rent for a one-bedroom in Omaha is $1,325, compared to $1,350 in the state and $1,750 nationally.
• Omaha’s biggest draws? Great job opportunities, charming historic districts with lots of shopping and dining, outdoor activities, a great arts scene, and a family-friendly community.

Best Neighborhoods in Omaha

The best Omaha neighborhoods range from areas close to the city with a lot of nightlife to more secluded locations with lots of family-friendly perks. Here are the top 10 Omaha neighborhoods to help you get a feel of what living in the city is really like!

There’s always something going on in Aksarben Village.
(Source: Aksarben Village via Facebook)

1. Aksarben Village

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,750
• Average home value: $249,500
• Great for: Retirees, families, shopping, golfing
• Commute to Downtown Omaha: 12 minutes

Aksarben (Nebraska spelled backwards) was a popular destination in Omaha during the 20th century. It was known for its horse racing track, while other attractions included a coliseum and a variety of other entertainment areas. Now, it’s one of the best neighborhoods in Omaha.

You won't find a more convenient location to shop in Aksarben than Cirian's Farmer's Market. This family-owned business has been serving the community for over 30 years. During the summer, customers can find a wide variety of plants, flowers, veggies, and more.

Love to golf? Residents get to choose from eight municipal golf courses, which feature both league and tournament play, plus concessions, a pro shop, and lessons. You can book your tee time online, in person, or by calling the course you’d like to play at. You can also find B-Cycle bike stations throughout the neighborhood.

2. Dundee

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $950
• Average home value: $416,300
• Great for: Young professionals, families, dining, outdoor activities, locally grown produce
• Commute to Downtown Omaha: 10-minute drive

The Dundee area of Omaha was the first suburb in the city, and you’ll find a mix of Tudor Revival, Georgian, and Colonial Revival homes in the area. Plus, it’s situated just blocks away from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, making it a great area for both young professionals and families.

With plenty of different cuisines to enjoy, Dundee has a variety of great dining establishments that foodies love. One of these is Goldbergs, with its indoor and outdoor seating, burgers, and some of the best Bloody Marys in the city. Another great place is Salween Thai, which serves authentic Thai options, like Panang Curry.

One of the area's most popular neighborhood spots is Metcalfe Park, located between 51st and 50th streets, which features a playground, a garden, and a sundial. Another popular area is the Dundee Community Garden — a non-profit organization that grows and donates vegetables and fruit to the community.

3. Benson

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,275
• Average home value: $193,400
• Great for: Young professionals, families, nightlife, beautiful homes
• Commute to Downtown Omaha: 15-minute drive

As one of the best neighborhoods in Omaha, Benson is known for its nightlife and is a popular area for establishments that offer art, entertainment, and business.

Situated between the Benson bar scene and Maple Street, this neighborhood features several residential streets lined with historic homes of various styles, including raised ranch homes and craftsman-style homes.

One of the most popular places in this neighborhood is the Reverb Lounge, which features a variety of specialty drinks and live music. Another popular establishment is The Waiting Room, which is a renowned venue for independent, alternative, and punk bands.

This downtown neighborhood is regarded as one of the most popular Omaha districts for entertainment and arts.
(Source: Old Market Omaha via Facebook)

4. Old Market

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,100
• Median home value: $464,000
• Great for: Young professionals, families, retirees, shopping, parks
• Commute to Downtown Omaha: 5-minute drive

The Old Market neighborhood might be on the National Register of Historic Places, but this downtown neighborhood is regarded as one of the most popular Omaha districts for entertainment and arts — and comes with plenty of luxury apartment options.

Local specialty stores and boutiques offer their goods on the sidewalks, while the notable Urban Abbey draws customers with its aroma of coffee. Plus, a portion of the profits from this establishment's sales go to charitable projects within the community.

The Old Market is bordered by two of the area's biggest parks: Heartland of America Park and the Gene Leahy Mall. These green spaces allow residents and visitors to enjoy the scenery and take some time to reset.

5. Downtown Omaha

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,475
• Median home value: $365,000
• Great for: Young professionals, families, retirees, shopping, sports, performing arts

Downtown is where all the action happens, and it’s by far one of the best places to live in Omaha — plus, it’s less than an hour from Lincoln, Nebraska. It’s bordered by the Missouri River and features tall buildings, along with a mix of historic and modern structures. You'll find some locally-famous stores in the area, such as Hollywood Candy and Homer’s Music — a staple in the vinyl record collecting community since 1971.

Omaha sports fans can look forward to the College World Series, which is held annually in June at Charles Schwab Field. Another impressive venue is the CHI Health Center Arena, which can seat 18,000 people.

When you’re looking for a splendid evening out, The Rose Theater is a popular venue for after-dinner performances. It also serves as the home of the Omaha Theater Company, which is one of the country's largest touring companies. Shows are family-friendly, so feel free to bring the kids!

6. West Omaha

• Average rent (one-bedroom): N/A
• Median home sale price: $348,200
• Great for: Young professionals, shopping, dining, outdoor activities
• Commute to Downtown Omaha: 20-minute drive

One of the safest neighborhoods in Omaha is West Omaha. This neighborhood is best known for its dense suburban setting, numerous restaurants, and shopping malls. The local Village Pointe Shopping Mall has everything you could need, including the popular stores of Kendra Scott and Lululemon. For dining, you can enjoy breakfast at Vidlaks Family Cafe, and also try one of the many creative burgers at the Omaha Tap House.

Zorinsky Lake Park is a local favorite, and it’s perfect for the entire family. Walk the trails, set up for a picnic with the kids by the two playgrounds, or set up a game at the baseball diamonds, soccer field, or football field. Want to spend a day on the water? Go fishing at the dock or head out on a kayak to enjoy some sunshine.

Blackstone has been around since the 1880s and is now a highly walkable area filled with trendy lofts and historic warehouses.
(Source: Blackstone District via Facebook)

7. Blackstone

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,300
• Average home value: $223,200
• Great for: Young professionals, families, walkability, art, the original Reuben
• Commute to Downtown Omaha: 10-minute drive

Blackstone is one of the nicest neighborhoods in Omaha, situated just south of Midtown. Also known as the Gold Coast Business District, this Omaha original has been around since the 1880s and is now a highly walkable area filled with trendy lofts and historic warehouses.

If you're craving a great sandwich, then you should head to Crescent Moon for a Reuben — it’s where the famous sandwich was created in the 1920s. You can also grab a beer, or head to another nearby brewery, including Scriptown. Want to check out some of Omaha’s landmarks? You’re close to some of the best, including Joslyn Art Museum and the University of Nebraska Omaha.

8. Elkhorn

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,525
• Average home value: $492,000
• Great for: Families, young professionals, spacious homes, schools, parks, local events
• Commute to Downtown Omaha: 30-minute drive

Looking for one of the rich neighborhoods in Omaha? Elkhorn might be calling your name. You have great access to Highway 31, which connects Blair to Louisville, and Highways 64 and 6 that run east to west connecting Elkhorn to Downtown Omaha.

Homes in the area boast covered porches and plenty of space to spread out. According to Niche, several of the town’s schools, like Elkhorn Ridge Middle School and Elkhorn South High School, receive A ratings, which is a draw for families.

The whole family can enjoy Ta-Ha-Zouka Park, with its toddler playground, walking trails, skatepark, football field, and even a sand volleyball court.

When looking for local entertainment and special events, one of the biggest amateur golf tournaments in the state is held at The Club of Indian Creek. Also, during the summer season, Elkhorn Days is held and features lots of community events such as a parade and a car show.

9. Elmwood Park

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $950
• Average home value: $256,500
• Great for: Families, beautiful homes, dining, local events
• Commute to Downtown Omaha: 12-minute drive

The narrow streets and tall trees in Elmwood Park are a prominent feature of this Omaha neighborhood, which has a variety of architectural styles, including Cape Cod, Federal, ranch, and Tudor homes. Although it's mainly car-dependent, it's known for being more pedestrian-friendly than other communities in the area.

The area's major dining establishments can be found west of the neighborhood. One of these is Blue & Fly, a casual Chinese restaurant that serves both traditional and American-Chinese style dishes. Drover Steakhouse, on South 73rd St., is an upscale establishment that serves premium cuts of meat.

About three miles away is Memorial Park, which is dedicated to the veterans of Douglas County. During the summer season, people flock to this area to watch the fireworks display and enjoy live music. (Ringo Starr has even played here!)

Midtown Crossing is the ideal place to enjoy great food in the heart of the city.
(Source: Midtown Crossing at Turner Park via Facebook)

10. Midtown Crossing

• Average rent (one-bedroom): N/A
• Median home sale price: $280,000
• Great for: Students, young professionals, entertainment, parks, dining
• Commute to Downtown Omaha: 6-minute drive

Students and business professionals are typically drawn to Midtown Crossing in Omaha most. While this area is ideal for high-end condominiums, it is not far from the University of Nebraska Omaha and Creighton University campuses.

Situated in the heart of Omaha, Midtown Crossing offers a variety of entertainment options that will ensure you’re never bored. You'll find yourself drawn to the vibrant surroundings of Turner Park, where you can enjoy live music events every Thursday night during the summer with Jazz on the Green. Also be sure to check out a paint and pour class at the Corky Canvas.

Restaurants at Midtown Crossing are designed to cater to every taste, whether you're looking for a quick meal or an enjoyable evening with loved ones. Situated in Omaha's center, this area is the ideal place to enjoy great food at establishments including Mazza and Pa Mas Kitchen.

Move to One of the Best Omaha Neighborhoods With PODS

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Visit PODS online for a free local moving quote or call (855) 706-4758 for long-distance moving.

Editor’s note: Average rent prices were obtained from RentCafe; average home values were obtained from Zillow; and median home sale prices were obtained from Redfin. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.

(Source for image featured at top: Visit Omaha via Facebook)