Metro

Affordability meets opportunity in Nebraska’s metro. The cost of living in Omaha consistently falls below the national average — with housing, rent and everyday expenses leaving room to breathe. Welcoming, family-friendly communities are easy to come by, especially in West Omaha, La Vista, Bennington and the charming Aksarben Village (that’s “Nebraska” spelled backwards!).

The metro area offers a lifestyle that’s accessible with standout education and healthcare. Brownell Talbot College Preparatory has ranked as Nebraska’s No. 1 STEM school since 2020, and top-rated public school districts like Elkhorn, Millard, and Papillion-La Vista consistently lead the way in academic excellence. You’ll also have access to world-class healthcare at the nationally ranked Nebraska Medical Center and CHI Health.

For growing families, young professionals, or those just looking for a little more breathing room, the Omaha metro checks all the boxes for comfort, community, and quality of life.

Nebraska has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and strong demand for skilled workers across a range of industries. Metro Omaha Nebraska jobs are rich with opportunity — where skilled workers are in high demand across industries and your individual value has a real impact.

Here you’ll find meaningful career opportunities from engineering to food production:

• Offutt Air Force Base employs nearly 4,000 DOD-affiliated civilians.
• Agribusiness leaders like CLAAS, Conagra, and Green Plains drive the state’s thriving food production industry.
• Nebraska Medical Center, one of the top hospitals in the region, supports more than 9,000 employees.
• Union Pacific, headquartered downtown Omaha for over 160 years, offers thousands of jobs within its state-of-the-art 3 million-square-foot building.
• Major logistics employers like Werner Enterprises and Union Pacific anchor Omaha’s robust distribution sector.

Considering a promotion or pivot? Nebraska Career Scholarships, Registered Apprenticeships, and other upskilling opportunities  offer resources for professional growth. And if you’re looking to build deeper connections, Omaha’s Young Professionals Group invites you to help shape Greater Omaha’s future as part of the city’s next generation of leaders.

This is a region where your work matters — and where your future is wide open.

Omaha’s metro area welcomes families with genuine Midwestern warmth. Looking for fun activities to do in Omaha Nebraska with kids? Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (a 160+ acre park consistently ranked among the world’s best) invites children to wander indoor deserts and rainforests or even hand-feed giraffes. Want to spark their imagination? The Kiewit Luminarium and the Lauritzen Gardens on the newly-updated riverfront find fun at the intersection of play and science.

The Durham Museum allows you to step into Union Station and learn about the history and culture of the area. The city also offers the Omaha Children’s Museum for hands-on learning at the Omaha RiverFront. For art lovers, the Joslyn Art Museum includes permanent collections from renowned artists like Titian, Rembrandt, and Renoir.

Summer means big community festivals. Papillion’s Papillion Days in June is a hometown favorite, featuring carnival rides, a beer garden and one of Nebraska’s largest parades. The city’s SumTur Amphitheater — The Good Life’s largest outdoor multi-use facility at seven acres —  hosts free summer concerts.

West of Omaha, Gretna is known for Nebraska Crossing outlets – the Midwest’s premier outlet mall, and Vala’s Pumpkin Patch, one of the nation’s largest fall festivals. La Vista City Centre’s Astro Theater buzzes with world-class entertainment and concerts while Bellevue’s Riverfront Festival is an annual, multi-day celebration of music and family fun. And if you’re a sports fan, the metro area delivers winning pro volleyball and minor league baseball teams like the Omaha Supernovas and the Omaha Stormchasers.

Across the metro the arts scene thrives with special events, from community theatre and performing arts to live music, while foodies savor Omaha’s farm-to-table eateries highlighting Nebraska’s local produce. One thing is certain — the year-round fun and sense of community found in the Omaha area is unlike anything you’ve experienced.