Nebraska is home to many thriving short-term rental markets, but identifying the top-performing cities can be overwhelming, especially when combing through data from countless locations across the state.
To simplify this process, we analyzed data from markets statewide and compiled a list of the top 2 cities for investors and landlords seeking potentially high-return rental properties in the coming year.
As always, we recommend thorough underwriting and analysis of any prospective property and a review of local short-term rental regulations before making any investment decisions.
How We Created This List
First, we looked at all Airbnb listings in Nebraska that met the following criteria as of January 2025:
- Average Rating: 4.8 stars and above
- Guest Review Count: Minimum of 10
- Average Daily Rate: $1 (minimum) to $2,000 (maximum)
- Occupancy Rate: 1% (minimum) to 99% (maximum)
- Property Size: 1 to 10 bedrooms
- Property Type: Entire homes
We did this to eliminate Airbnb listings from our analysis that fall outside of what we consider "realistic" situations. This left us with a total of 869 Airbnb listings across the state of Nebraska to work with.
Next, we grouped these listings by city and eliminated markets that didn't have at least 75 Airbnb listings meeting the above criteria. We took this step to avoid outlier cities we felt didn't have enough data to be considered at this current time. This left us with 2 cities in Nebraska to rank.
Then, we needed to arrive at a gross yield number for each of our remaining cities in order to create our rankings. We did this by taking the average annual Airbnb revenue for each city and combining it with the cities median property value (from Zillow as of December 2024) to calculate our gross yield for each city.
Finally, we ordered the cities by highest gross yield.
The Top 2 STR Markets in Nebraska
1. Omaha, NE
Omaha, NE is an enticing destination for short-term rental investors, with attractions like the Henry Doorly Zoo and vibrant cultural events such as the annual College World Series. The city's burgeoning real estate market offers promising opportunities for vacation homes and Airbnb properties. As an Airbnb host, you can tap into Omaha's thriving tourism scene, drawing guests interested in local sports teams or exploring the Historic Old Market district. This city's dynamic housing market is among the best places for real estate investors seeking good return and cash flow.
Key STR Metrics:
- Average Gross Yield: 7.4%
- Average Property Value: $426,171 (as of December 2024)
- Average Annual Revenue: $31,663 (past 12 months)
- Average Occupancy Rate: 41% (past 12 months)
- Qualifying Airbnbs: 619 (as of January 2025)
- Year-Over-Year Growth in Airbnbs: 81%
Find Airbnbs For Sale in Omaha, NE →
2. Lincoln, NE
Lincoln, NE boasts a thriving short-term rental market ideal for real estate investors. Vacation homes here offer attractive rental income thanks to the bustling tourism scene, anchored by attractions like the Nebraska State Capitol and the Sunken Gardens. Sports enthusiasts flock to root for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, while special events like the Lincoln Marathon draw crowds. As an Airbnb host, capitalize on these visitor magnets for good cash flow. Investing in Lincoln's housing market promises strong returns amid increasing tourist demand.
Key STR Metrics:
- Average Gross Yield: 7.3%
- Average Property Value: $409,497 (as of December 2024)
- Average Annual Revenue: $29,808 (past 12 months)
- Average Occupancy Rate: 41% (past 12 months)
- Qualifying Airbnbs: 250 (as of January 2025)
- Year-Over-Year Growth in Airbnbs: 70%
