Omaha Is the 95th-Most Affordable U.S. City for Homebuyers in 2026

Omaha, Nebr., ranks 95th in the country for the affordability of buying a home, according to a new WalletHub study that analyzed 300 U.S. cities using 10 key metrics. Those metrics range from home purchase and maintenance costs to taxes and vacancy rates.

Home prices have surged in recent years, with the median sales price in the U.S. rising from $355,000 in Q1 2021 to $403,200 in Q1 2026. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has also increased sharply from a historic low of 2.65% in January 2021 to 6.37% in May 2026. With both elevated home prices and higher interest rates, many consumers may question whether homeownership is still within reach. Buying real estate remains more affordable in certain cities than others, though.

“When deciding where to buy, home prices alone aren't a good enough indicator of how affordable things will be,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “You also have to consider how prices compare to incomes in the area, plus factor in things like the cost of living, maintenance expenses and taxes.”

In-Depth Look at Omaha

Omaha has the 22nd-lowest cost of living in the U.S., plus the 36th-lowest home energy costs. By paying less for utilities and everyday expenses, homeowners can put more money toward mortgage payments.

Omaha is less affordable in other areas, though. For example, it has the 37th-highest median real estate tax rate in the nation. It also has the 81st-most expensive homeowners insurance premiums. That means you'll be paying quite a bit for the privilege of owning a home.

When you combine all 10 of the metrics, Omaha ends up in 95th place overall out of the 300 cities included in WalletHub's study.

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The methodology can be found on the full version of the article on WalletHub.