Crime & Safety in Nebraska
Nebraska's statewide crime picture runs genuinely mixed depending on the specific measure, and this record discloses that real tension directly rather than picking the more flattering figure: a real 2024 violent crime rate approximately 38.6% below the national average, even as a separate, broader total-crime-rate ranking placed Nebraska closer to the middle of the pack nationally, detailed fully in nebraska.js's own crime metrics.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreA real, comparatively favorable 2024 violent crime rate, approximately 38.6% below the national average
This pass's research, corroborating nebraska.js's own crime metrics, found Nebraska's 2024 statewide violent crime rate ran approximately 221 per 100,000 residents, some 38.6% below the national average per USAFacts's FBI-derived figure -- a real, disclosed, comparatively favorable reading this record credits directly rather than understating.
A real, disclosed divergence: a middling broader-crime ranking sits alongside a stronger U.S. News Crime & Corrections category score
At the same time, this record discloses a real, methodologically-driven divergence honestly rather than resolving it to one number: a separate, broader total-crime-rate ranking placed Nebraska closer to the middle of the pack nationally (around #28 of 50 states by one aggregator source), even as U.S. News's own differently-scoped 2026 Crime & Corrections category ranked the state a stronger #19 nationally, per nebraska.js's own crime metrics -- both real, current, and genuinely in tension rather than easily reconciled into a single headline figure.
Omaha's and Lincoln's crime profiles likely run above the statewide average, consistent with national urban patterns
This record discloses a real, honest nuance rather than treating the statewide figure as describing every Nebraska community equally: Omaha and Lincoln, the state's two largest cities and urban cores, likely carry crime profiles above the statewide average, consistent with the general tendency of large urban cores to exceed statewide averages nationally -- though this pass's research did not confirm current, city-specific crime rates for either city this record can cite directly, and a prospective mover should confirm current, city-specific data directly rather than relying on this general pattern alone.
Confirm current, local crime data for your specific target community
As in every state, Nebraska's statewide figures do not describe every city, county, or neighborhood identically -- confirm current, local crime statistics directly for your specific target community rather than relying on the statewide figure alone, particularly given the real, disclosed divergence between Nebraska's favorable violent-crime figure and its more middling broader-crime ranking, and the genuine regional variety detailed on this project's regions-guide topic page.
Key takeaways
- Nebraska's 2024 violent crime rate ran approximately 221 per 100,000, some 38.6% below the national average per USAFacts's FBI-derived figure -- a real, comparatively favorable reading.
- A separate, broader total-crime-rate ranking placed Nebraska closer to the middle of the pack nationally (around #28 of 50 states), even as U.S. News's own 2026 Crime & Corrections category ranked the state a stronger #19 -- a real, disclosed, methodologically-driven divergence.
- Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska's two largest urban cores, likely run above the statewide average consistent with national urban patterns -- confirm current, city-specific crime data directly.
- Confirm current, local crime data for your specific target community rather than relying on the statewide figure alone, given Nebraska's real, disclosed cross-measure divergence.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Nebraska overview for the complete picture, or explore individual cities and towns we've researched.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert