Discover Omaha BHA Rates, Housing, Education, & Cost of Living
Find housing, employment, cost-of-living, and BAH rates for Omaha, NE. Listed below are BAH Rates, college and universities, cost-of-living information, school resources for children of military families, and things to see and do in the Omaha area.
Some of the military installations in Nebraska include:
- Offutt AFB
- U.S. Army Reserve Center, Lincoln
Omaha, NB BAH Rates
Local Colleges and Universities
Omaha is home to several colleges and universities. Below is a partial list.
- University of Nebraska Omaha (zip code – 68182)
- Creighton University (zip code – 68178)
- Clarkson College (zip code – 68131)
- College of St. Mary (zip code – 68106)
- Nebraska Methodist College (zip code – 68114)
To find more Omaha schools, use the free CollegeRecon School Finder tool.
Using Your GI Bill
Anyone considering using the Post 9/11 GI Bill in Omaha should know the following:
- You may be eligible for Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) if you are a full-time student.
- MHA is comparable to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents.
- MHA is calculated based on the zip code of where you physically attend most of your classes.
- Those attending only online classes receive a set MHA of approximately $1,054 (in 2023)
- Up to $1,000 is available each year for books and supplies.
- The Post 9/11 GI Bill can be transferred to a spouse or dependents but you must still be on active duty to transfer.
- The Yellow Ribbon Program offers financial support in specific situations where the GI Bill does not fully cover the cost of tuition at participating colleges.
Cost of Living in Omaha
According to Bestplaces, the cost of living in Omaha has an index of 90.8, which is 9.2 lower than the national average and 3.4 percent lower than the average for Nebraska. The cost of groceries and utilities are the highest cost of living categories, but Omaha remains a very affordable city to live in particularly in terms of housing.
Category/Index
- Overall – 90.8
- Housing – 82.2
- Groceries – 96.6
- Transportation – 81.7
- Utilities – 98.6
Other categories to consider
- Healthcare
- Childcare
- Taxes
Omaha Housing
Having an understanding of the housing landscape is one of the most important factors when deciding where to live. Omaha is one of the most affordable cities to live in the Midwest. If you are considering moving to Omaha, the most affordable and safe neighborhoods include:
- Aksarben-Elmwood Park – $952
- Dundee – $772
- West Omaha – $932
Other popular neighborhoods include Bellevue, Downtown Omaha, Westside Area, and Northwest Omaha. These neighborhoods are highly rated for their safety, affordability, and access to family-friendly activities.
According to Realtor.com, the average sale price of a home in Omaha as of November 2023 is approximately $280,000. The real estate market is currently a balanced market, meaning that the supply and demand of homes are about the same.
To learn more about VA Loan Program benefits, you can get a free eligibility assessment from our VA loan partner.
Primary Education
For families with school-age children, living in an area that has high quality primary schools is important as it can affect children’s educational outcomes. Even for families without children, the quality of the schools in the area can affect the value of housing prices. The Omaha area is home to many top-rated primary schools and school districts. According to Greatschools.org some of the best primary schools include:
- Sunset Hills Elementary School
- Oakdale Elementary School
- Prairie Lane Elementary School
- Hitchcock Elementary School
- Meadows Elementary School
In Omaha, children who reside on the Offutt Airforce Base attend Bellevue Public Schools which includes fifteen elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools. Other school districts in the area include: Papillion/LaVista School District, Omaha Public Schools, Plattsmouth Community Schools, Ralston Public Schools, Westside Community School District, and Millard Public Schools.
Employment Opportunities
Omaha boasts a strong business landscape and steady economic growth that makes it an optimal place for access to employment opportunities. The city is home to four Fortune 500 companies including Mutual of Omaha, Union Pacific Corporation, Berkshire Hathaway, and Kiewit Corporation. According to the Greater Omaha Chamber, the top industries in the city include:
- Finance & Insurance
- Healthcare & Social Assistance
- Information Technology
- Transportation & Warehousing
- Manufacturing
According to the Nebraska Department of Labor, the unemployment rate as of November 2023 is 2.3%, which is significantly lower than the national average that stands at 3.7%.
> To find organizations seeking to recruit and place military, veterans, and spouses, please visit CareerRecon.
Things to See and Do in Omaha
Omaha is the most populated city in Nebraska and a major city in the Midwestern part of the United States. It is historically known as a place of transportation and trade for its position on the Missouri river and flat valley of the Platte. Omaha has many interesting things to do related to its historic position as the gateway to the west.
- Visit the Old Market, one of the oldest and most historic areas of Omaha to discover the abundant art galleries, shopping, cafes, and fine dining in the neighborhood.
- Stop by Union Station, a historic train station that was restored and turned into a cultural center. Not only is it a great representation of the Art Deco style, it holds galleries, cafes, and the Durham Museum.
- Find yourself in two states at once by visiting the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, which is lovingly referred to by locals as Bob the Bridge. This bridge that spans the Missouri River connects Omaha, Nebraska with Council Bluffs, Iowa.
- Enjoy the outdoors at the Lauritzen Gardens, a botanical garden and conservatory that displays all-season plants. Some highlights include a Victorian rose and herb garden, a Japanese park, and a bird sanctuary.
- Have a day of family fun at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. This wonder of Omaha features unique habitats from all over the globe including an orangutan forest, sea lion shores, African grasslands, desert dome and more!