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Quality of Life in Oneill, NE
A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
45% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Oneill, NE for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $11k | $21k |
| Comfortable | $25k | $37k |
| Luxury | $99k+ | $153k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $116k+ | $180k+ |
178%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
0 within 10 miles
Gas
0 within 10 miles
Hospital
4 within 20 miles
Airport
MCI — Kansas City International
Post Office
USPS — Oneill, NE
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
O’Neill, Nebraska, is a low-cost, family-oriented community in Holt County where the cost of living index sits at 55—well below the national average of 100—making it one of the most affordable places to live in the state. The population of roughly 3,500 is predominantly white, with a median age around 40, and the area attracts a mix of agricultural workers, healthcare professionals, and small-business owners who value space, safety, and a slower pace of life. While not affluent by national standards, O’Neill offers a stable, middle-class lifestyle where homeownership is attainable for most working households.
How housing costs and everyday expenses compare to nearby towns
The median home value in O’Neill is $130,900, roughly one-third of the national median, and the median rent is $712 per month—both figures that allow residents to live comfortably on a single income. Compared to larger regional hubs like Norfolk (about 70 miles southeast) or Sioux City, Iowa (about 120 miles east), O’Neill’s housing costs are 20-30% lower, while groceries and utilities also run below state averages. The average commute time is just 19 minutes, reflecting the town’s compact layout and the fact that most jobs are within city limits or on nearby farms and ranches. Property taxes in Holt County are moderate for Nebraska, and no local sales tax is levied on groceries, which further stretches household budgets.
What daily life is like for families and retirees in O’Neill
O’Neill’s daily rhythm centers on its historic downtown, anchored by the Holt County Courthouse, and a handful of local employers including the O’Neill Public Schools system, Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital, and agricultural cooperatives. The school district serves roughly 700 students across three buildings, with a student-teacher ratio of about 14:1, and offers a range of extracurriculars from FFA to competitive sports. For recreation, residents use the O’Neill City Park, the Holt County Fairgrounds, and the nearby Niobrara River for fishing and canoeing. Dining options are limited to a few family-run cafes and fast-food chains, but the town hosts annual events like the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Holt County Fair that build community cohesion. Healthcare is accessible through the 25-bed critical access hospital and several clinics, though specialized care often requires a drive to Norfolk or Omaha.
Retirees and remote workers are increasingly drawn to O’Neill for its low crime rate—violent crime is roughly half the national average—and the ability to buy a home outright with savings from higher-cost areas. Families with young children benefit from the short commutes and safe streets, while agricultural workers appreciate the proximity to grain elevators, feedlots, and equipment dealers. The trade-offs are clear: limited shopping, few entertainment venues, and a climate with harsh winters. Anyone who needs urban amenities, diverse dining, or frequent air travel will find O’Neill too remote. But for those seeking a quiet, affordable, and community-focused life in the Nebraska Sandhills, O’Neill delivers a quality of life that larger cities cannot match.
Crime in Oneill, NE
Generally safer than 65% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
O’Neill, Nebraska, presents a mixed safety profile for prospective residents. The town’s violent crime rate of 215.2 incidents per 100,000 residents is notably lower than the national average, but its property crime rate of 1,378.5 per 100,000 exceeds both state and national benchmarks, making property-related offenses the primary safety concern for those moving to the area.
Crime in context
When compared to Nebraska’s statewide violent crime rate of roughly 280 per 100,000, O’Neill’s figure is about 23% lower, placing it in a safer tier for personal safety. However, the property crime rate tells a different story. Nebraska’s statewide property crime rate hovers around 1,500 per 100,000, meaning O’Neill sits slightly below that mark but still well above the national property crime average of approximately 1,950 per 100,000. The most common property crimes in O’Neill are theft and burglary, with vehicle theft being less frequent. It is important to note that Holt County, where O’Neill is the county seat, does not have the progressive prosecutorial policies seen in some larger urban jurisdictions; local law enforcement and the county attorney’s office generally take a traditional, law-and-order approach to prosecution, which can be a positive factor for residents concerned about recidivism and public safety.
What residents experience
Daily life in O’Neill for most residents involves a low risk of violent victimization. Violent offenses such as aggravated assault, robbery, and rape are rare events. The community’s small size—around 3,500 people—means that most crime is not random but often involves individuals who know each other. The more tangible day-to-day concern is property crime. Residents commonly report thefts from unlocked vehicles, occasional burglaries of sheds or garages, and minor vandalism. The O’Neill Police Department maintains a visible presence, and neighborhood watch-style community engagement is active, which helps mitigate these issues. For families, the schools are generally considered safe, and public spaces like the city park and the Holt County Fairgrounds are well-trafficked and secure during events.
Neighborhood-level variation in O’Neill is modest but present. The downtown core, centered around Fourth Street and Douglas Street, sees slightly higher foot traffic and associated petty theft, particularly near bars and commercial properties late at night. The residential areas on the north and west sides of town, including the newer subdivisions near the golf course, tend to report the lowest crime rates. Older housing stock near the railroad tracks and the southern edge of town can experience slightly elevated rates of burglary and vandalism. Overall, O’Neill is a community where proactive measures—like locking doors, securing outbuildings, and participating in local safety groups—go a long way toward maintaining a secure home environment.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-05-01T05:25:59.000Z
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