Apartments for Rent in Omaha, NE - 353 Rentals available

Renter's Guide to Omaha

Welcome to Omaha!

This pioneer city has become one of the largest in the Midwest and a symbol of the historic American westward expansion. It has plenty to offer residents, with extensive sports and leisure opportunities, as well as careers within major corporations in the financial, transportation, agricultural, and insurance industries.

Omaha is particularly friendly to young people, winning a spot on Forbes’ 2016 list of Best Cities for Young Professionals. Last but not least, U.S. News & World Report placed Omaha on its 2016 list of Best Affordable Places to Live.

As the largest city in all of Nebraska, Omaha is certainly big enough to provide everything you need, without being too massive and crowded. It serves as the seat of Douglas County and is 40% larger than St. Louis, 10% bigger than Tulsa, and approximately the same size as Kansas City. On the other hand, Indianapolis is twice the size of Omaha.

Omaha is only about 50 miles from Lincoln, NE and 537 miles from Denver. Des Moines and Omaha are 139 miles apart.

The weather in Omaha ranges from moderately hot in the summer to mild and dry during the winters. Summer highs average in the low 80s, so you won’t be sweltering all season long. In winter months, the low average temperatures hover around freezing, with about 6 inches of snow each month, giving you plenty leisure opportunities if you enjoy snow sports.

Omaha experiences four distinct seasons, with December, January, and February in the winter, March through May for spring, June through August making up summer, and September to November in the autumn.

Cost of Living in Omaha, NE

While Omaha has no public train system, there is an extensive local bus service. A 10-ride card for the Omaha Metro is $12.50, but is discounted to $10 for students. You can purchase a 30-day pass for $55.

Omaha has two major taxi companies for you to choose from, the Happy Cab Company and City Taxi. The average commute time is only 20 minutes, which is considerably less than the national average of 26 minutes.

A three-course meal for two at a mid-priced restaurant in Omaha runs between $28 and $40. A regular cappuccino costs $3.73.

On average, utilities like electricity, heating, water, and garbage for a 915-square-foot apartment cost $114.71 per month. This is well under the national average of $147.

Living in Omaha

Omaha has been called the “jewel of the Midwest” and with its extensive walking trail system, large number of Fortune 500 jobs, and vibrant sports scene, it’s easy to see why. It’s a city with a vivacious, young demographic, and people here seem to be very happy.

Some residents do report problems with pushy drivers, but what city doesn’t have this issue? Also, the public bus system can be a great way to avoid this.

Omaha has a rich ethnic mix of Native American, European, African American, and Jewish cultures, which is reflected in its art and cuisine. The city has recently seen an influx of Sudanese immigrants too.

Things to do in Omaha

If you’re a baseball fan, you’re in luck in Omaha! It’s the home of the College Baseball World Series. Sports fans can also root for their new home team, the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers.

If you’re in the mood for shopping, Omaha has you covered. On sunny days, try the many stores at Shadow Lake Towne Center or the pubs and specialty boutiques at Old Market. On colder days, the indoors Westroads Mall might be a better choice. You can even catch a movie while you’re there.

But Omaha has even more to offer. For family fun, the Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is a perfect pick. It contains thousands of animals and an enormous in-door rainforest.

If you’d rather just relax with family or friends outdoors, Elmwood Park has trails, playgrounds, a swimming pool, and even a golf course. The beautiful Memorial Park is also an option, particularly if you’re up for a game of baseball on one of its several ball fields. Another free choice for entertainment and education is the massive Omaha Public Library system, for all the book worms out there.

Couples will want to experience a romantic boat ride at the lake in Heartland of America Park at least once. The light show each night really helps to set the atmosphere. When you’re ready for something more thrilling, the Fun-Plex Amusement Park has rides and a water park that are perfect for either dates or family time.

The annual Sights on Sounds Summer Film series will please both your eyes and ears with movies and music. The lineup changes each year, but it's always spectacular. Another annual event is the Omaha Railroad Days, celebrating Omaha’s railway history by offering you free train rides and model railroad exhibits.

Omaha has loads of art. Artists feature their works frequently at Cali Commons, and the Joslyn Art Museum is a free attraction that houses works ranging from Rembrandt to ancient Greece. If you’d rather see a play, the Omaha Community Playhouse puts on productions all year long. In the summer, Jazz on the Green delights music fans for free.

Employment & Economy

Omaha has a long military history, and the Offutt Air Force Base provides both military and civilian jobs in administration and support.

The city is also home to five Fortune 500 companies – ConAgra Foods, Berkshire Hathaway, Mutual of Omaha, Kiewit, and Union Pacific Railway, offering positions in business, science, insurance, transportation, and finance. First National of Nebraska is also a key player on the local financial scene.

Omaha has 3 major medical centers that offer careers in healthcare, allied health support, and information technology.

Top Colleges in Omaha

Higher education in Omaha is mainly advanced by the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Known for both its school of engineering and its information science program, UNO is also a college sports powerhouse. There's also the Creighton University in Omaha, known for its college of business administration.

Tips for Renting in Omaha

As a renter in Omaha, you have some solid rights you should be informed of. Chief among these is the right to withhold rent or deduct repair costs if your landlord neglects to make necessary repairs to crucial services, like heat or plumbing.

Also, your landlord cannot raise your rent without a written statement and at least 30 days’ notice. Three days’ notice is required before your landlord can begin proceedings to sue or evict you for non-payment.

Finally, if you find yourself in the position to report a landlord because the premises are not up to code, you're legally protected from retaliation.