Lincoln, Omaha named top two U.S. cities for renters

Lincoln and Omaha are the top two cities in the country for renters in 2024, according to a recent study from Forbes Advisor.

The study took into account more than 20 metrics across categories of affordability, accessibility and amenities, lifestyle and crime.

Alexandria Cremer with the Forbes Advisor team said Lincoln and Omaha each scored well on affordability, with both cities in the top 10 for rent costs as a percentage of income.

“The federal government considers those spending 30% or more of their income on rent to be rent burdened," Cremer said. "So, both cities fall well below that threshold, making Lincoln and Omaha a great choice for those who are potentially renting on a budget.”

Lincoln also scored well due to its low unemployment rate and high availability of rental units.

Omaha ranked well for its high percentage of units with on-site parking and low price per square foot.

However, Kasey Ogle, an attorney with Nebraska Appleseed, said many Nebraska tenants she works with are struggling with housing affordability and availability.

“I don't hear a lot about parking issues," Ogle said. "I'm hearing more about things like habitability issues, living with mold, or no running water or no heating in the winter or air conditioning in the summer months."

According to the City of Lincoln's 2020 Affordable Housing Coordinated Action Plan, nearly 50% of renters spent more than 30% of their income on housing in 2017.

“I think it's surprising to hear that we're at the top of any rental survey," Ogle said. "I think housing is an issue nationwide and we're seeing that here in Lincoln and throughout the state as well.”

In last year’s Forbes Advisor "Best Cities for Renters" list, Lincoln ranked seventh, while Omaha ranked 25th.