The home of the Cornhuskers, Nebraska is considered one of the bread baskets of the U.S., producing farm crops by the millions of tons. With the state capital in Lincoln, Nebraska also has major urban centers in Omaha, Bellevue, Grand Island, Kearney, and North Platte. The state is home to the legendary investor Warren Buffett and is famous for Scotts Bluff National Monument. A large portion of the state falls under federal park or federal forest management. The population is fairly sparse across the territory, with a scattering of towns and more concentration toward the eastern side. Major industries include agriculture, energy production, manufacturing, insurance and finance, and tourism. The state also has a strong selection of universities, several of which appear in major college sporting events regularly.
As of the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 estimates, Nebraska is home to just over 2 million people, ranking it among the less populous states. By area it is the 16th largest, giving Nebraska one of the lowest population densities in the country. Agriculture - particularly the production of corn, beef, and pork - remains a major driver of the economy, alongside insurance, finance, and manufacturing.
The Top Cities in Nebraska
As of 2025, the typical home value in Nebraska is roughly in the high $200,000s statewide, according to Zillow's home value index. Values have risen substantially over the past decade. Home prices are clustered fairly tightly across the state - there are neither extremely expensive nor extremely inexpensive cities, though that may not hold at a neighborhood level. Actual prices vary by city, market conditions, and time, so check current local listings for the most accurate picture.
Omaha
Population: approximately 489,000 (2024 estimate)
Omaha is Nebraska's largest city and the home of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. It anchors a metropolitan area of roughly one million people spanning Nebraska and neighboring Iowa. Omaha's economy is very diverse, with employment across insurance, finance, telecommunications, healthcare, transportation, and construction.
Lincoln
Population: approximately 295,000 (2024 estimate)
Lincoln, Nebraska's capital, is also the state's second largest city. The top local employers include state government, the public school system, the University of Nebraska, and healthcare systems. Lincoln is regularly recognized as one of the more affordable and business-friendly cities in the country.
Bellevue
Population: approximately 64,000 (2024 estimate)
Bellevue, founded in the 1830s, is a historic city; in fact, its motto is "Nebraska's oldest city." Part of the Omaha metropolitan area and home to Offutt Air Force Base, Bellevue has grown substantially over the past several decades.
Banks & Credit Unions
No matter where you live, finding the right financial institution is an important decision to get right. Residents of Nebraska will find a number of trusted local banks, several large credit unions, and branches of well-known national banks. Below, you'll find a sampling of each.
Which bank is right for you? The answer depends on a combination of what you're looking for - relationships or great technology, for example - geographical convenience, and, of course, competitive rates and fees.
Community banks & local lenders:
- CharterWest Bank
- West Gate Bank
- Great Southern Bank
- Premier Bank
- AmFirst Financial Services
Nebraska credit unions:
- Cobalt Credit Union (formerly SAC Federal Credit Union)
- Centris Federal Credit Union
- Liberty First Credit Union
- MembersOwn Credit Union
- Mutual 1st Federal Credit Union
- Four Points Federal Credit Union
National banks with a Nebraska presence:
- U.S. Bank
- Wells Fargo
- UMB Bank
- BMO (formerly Bank of the West)
Different banks have different specialties, and it pays to shop around to get the best rate on your financial products. You can use RateZip.com's free financial search engine to compare CDs, savings accounts, checking accounts, and more.
NE Mortgage Rates
For those moving to Nebraska, RateZip.com can help you compare mortgage options. By filling out a few simple details, such as where you live and how much you're looking to borrow, you can receive quotes from multiple lenders. From there, you can see how rates and fees stack up and make an informed decision. For current residents of the Cornhusker State, RateZip also makes it simple to explore refinancing.
The most popular home loans in Nebraska are fixed-rate mortgages. These are popular because they offer payment stability - your principal-and-interest payment stays the same for the entire life of the loan. An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is another option: it typically offers a lower initial rate that can then adjust up or down according to market conditions after an initial fixed period. Which one makes sense depends on your plans, your budget, and current market rates, so it's worth comparing both.
Other options to be aware of are USDA home loans, FHA mortgages, and VA loans. These are government-backed programs that help first-time home buyers, individuals with lower incomes or less-than-perfect credit, veterans, and other groups who may not qualify for a conventional mortgage. First-time buyers in Nebraska may also want to look into the programs offered by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA), the state's housing finance agency, which include down payment and closing-cost assistance for eligible borrowers.