8 Best Small Towns to Retire in Nebraska in 2024
Nebraska may not be the most tax-friendly state for retirees, considering it partially taxes Social Security income; however, it more than makes up for it when it comes to real estate affordability. Homes in the state fetch a median price of just $347,000. While one can complain about the wind or its extreme temperature, Nebraska features awesome healthcare options, beautiful scenery, especially in the western and northern parts, and low crime. Dotting this state are small yet vibrant farming towns where many retirees will love to spend their sunset years. Discover below the eight best small towns to retire in Nebraska.
Papillion
According to Safewise, Papillon is the fifth-safest town in Nebraska. Retirees who prioritize safety may not need to look any further. While mostly residential, Papillon scores well on the shopping front. One can find almost everything at venues such as Shadow Lake Towne Center, which boasts big names such as Victoria's Secret, and restaurants such as Freddy's. Being a suburb of Omaha (downtown Omaha is a 20-minute drive), a retiree here should not worry about access to amenities, particularly hospitals. This town’s median age is 40, and residents aged 50 and above comprise about 36% of the town’s population. This means you will find a support network and folks with whom you can share experiences. However, partly because of its proximity to Omaha, homes in Papillion are listed for a median price of $460,300. Still, considering one will be close to Nebraska’s largest city, the Chalco Hills Recreation Area, and the shimmering waters of the 245-acre Wehrspann Lake, that price point is anything but a rip-off.
Kearney
With the UNK (University of Nebraska at Kearney) at your doorstep, retiring in this Nebraska gem will come with living in an intellectually stimulating environment, with the chance to pick up interesting courses in one's sunset years—and mingle with a young, vibrant, and inquisitive crowd. Once in a while, a retiree here will enjoy spending time at the spellbinding Fort Kearny State Recreation Area, biking or swimming at Cottonmill Park, and watching Sand Hill Cranes at Iain Nicolson Audubon Center amid heart-ravishing views of the Platte River. While the median listing price for homes in Kearney stands at about $349,900, the median sales price is much lower and affordable—just $233,000. Also, while the median age here is 30, residents aged 50 and above comprise 30% of the town’s population. So don’t think you will just be stuck with students. Moreover, Kearney Regional Medical Center is highly rated and has been a back-to-back recipient of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award (2024 and 2023).
Gretna
If you want to live in a small, intimate place—but which is close to Omaha—you will hardly find something better than Gretna. The "Gateway to the West," as Omaha is known, is about 25 minutes down the road. Therefore, retirees should not worry about access to amenities, including hospitals. When it comes to shopping venues, the famous Nebraska Crossing, which features more than 80 retail brands, has been one of Gretna’s most loved features for a long time. With lively and safe neighborhoods, lots of paved sidewalks, and outdoor opportunities at spots such as Schramm Park State Recreation Area, a median home sales price of $396,800 may sound like a good deal. The median listing price, however, is about $40,000 higher. If you want to be occasionally transported to a realm of unmatched serenity, a retiree will make visiting the Holy Family Shrine a routine.
Seward
Retirement here comes with access to a quaint, historic downtown, a fantastic winery (the picturesque Junto Wine is 7 miles east), and a 130-year-old private Lutheran university (Concordia University was founded in 1894). The median listing home price in Seward—according to February 2024 data from Realtor—stands at just $259,000. For perspective, this is nearly $90,000 lower than Nebraska’s median listing price. But there is more to Seward. The highly-rated Memorial Hospital, for instance, is right in town and has been meeting the healthcare needs of residents for well over 70 years. Lincoln, Nebraska’s second-largest city, is an easy 25-minute drive for even more options. For an occasional pint, as you reminisce about how life has turned out, Bottle Rocket Brewing Co. is by far the go-to spot. And if a retiree loves jogging or biking, perhaps in the early-morning crisp air, the expansive Plum Creek Park will be handy.
David City
Because of its ties to Joyce Hall, the co-founder of the greeting card company Hallmark Cards, David City goes down as the first "Hometown Christmas" location. A small farm town, David City still maintains its cheery holiday spirit and is known to come alive during the festive season. While the town’s median age is about 36, residents aged 50 and above comprise about 35% of the town’s population. Still, the best part of retiring here could just be the presence of Butler County Health Care Center. Boasting a recommendation rate of 84%, which is 14% higher than the national average, this hospital is a 2022 recipient of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award. The latest data from Realtor (December 2023) shows the town boasts a pocket-friendly median listing price of just $179,000. Considering one will have access to spots like the Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art, the rustic David City Park and Auditorium, and a public nine-hole golf course, David City is hard to ignore.
McCook
Known to be incredibly friendly, at least most of the time, McCook promptly puts a retiree at ease. The sense of community is top-notch, and if you don't want to be known, McCook may not be for you. This laid-back Nebraska gem is also quite affordable. Nothing can beat a median listing price of just $159,000. While McCook does not come close to Paris, a retiree can get most stuff in town without having to make a daylong, out-of-town trip for shopping. As far as healthcare goes, the well-rated Community Hospital is right in town. Residents enjoy patronizing several attractions here, including the Museum of the High Plains, Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation ( a fantastic hiking and camping site), and Loop Brewing Company, for some mind-blowing pizza. AreaBakery. With a median age of 40, expect a social scene that is neither wild nor lifeless.
Holdrege
A nice, small town that looks after its residents, Holdrege is hands-down among Nebraka’s best small towns to retire. Shopping venues (such as Family Dollar and the nearby Kat's Korner Market), the stunning North Park Lake, which boasts a large pond, lush greenery, and paved paths ideal for early-morning strolls, and a highly-rated hospital ( Phelps Memorial Health Center boasts a recommendation rate of 82%, 12% higher than the national average)—Holdrege provides nearly every feature a retiree desires. Though Holdrege homes—as of February 2024—were listed for a median price of $306,000, they were sold for a more affordable median price of $220,000. Holdrege boasts a median age of 40; a retiree can roll with the young or watch sunsets with folks in the same age bracket.
Milford
Milford's retirement appeal is multi-faceted, besides hosting Nebraska’s original technical college, the 83-year-old Nebraska Southeast Community College, where a retiree will find one or two interesting courses. With a median age of 30, a retiree can retain his young, child-like sparkle. The latest data from Realtor—which is December 2023—shows that homes in Milford are listed at a median price of $295,000. This is affordable—even by Nebraka’s standards. Moreover, a retiree should not entertain a scintilla of concern regarding healthcare access with the highly-rated Memorial Hospital next door in Seward. Finally, Milford boasts several outdoor attractions. Branched Oak State Recreation Area, which features the largest lake in eastern Nebraska, is an easy 25-minute drive. Also, Holmes Lake Park, a regional favorite for non-motorized boating, is in the Lincoln area, just 28 miles away. Closer home, Thornridge Golf Course, named after the thorn trees that encircle it, is one of the finest courses in the area.
While Nebraska’s beauty is somewhat subtle — its retirement appeal is not. A retiree here can find homes for even less than $200,000. Of course, many parts of the state are dotted with peaceful, laid-back towns — a far cry from whirling cars and concrete jungles. And then the badlands. Surreal. Ethereal. And the Platte River — a lovely, mind-bending spot for watching sandhill cranes. If looking for a small town to retire in Nebraska, explore gems such as David City, Papillion, and Kearney.
