Is Papillion Safe, Pros and cons of living in Papillion

Papillion, Nebraska, offers a suburban lifestyle with a strong sense of community. Located southwest of Omaha, it provides a blend of small-town charm and convenient access to urban amenities. This makes it an attractive option for families and individuals seeking a balanced place to live.

The city is known for its well-regarded schools, safe neighborhoods, and a growing job market. Residents often praise its friendly atmosphere and the abundance of parks and recreational opportunities. Papillion aims to provide a high quality of life for its inhabitants.

Is it Safe to Live in Papillion?

Papillion is generally considered a safe city, with crime rates below the national average. The overall crime rate is approximately 10 per 1,000 residents, positioning it as safer than most communities in Nebraska and comparable U.S. cities (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Violent crime is particularly low, with a rate of 0 per 1,000 inhabitants, while property crime stands at 9 per 1,000 population (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Further analysis indicates that Papillion’s crime rate is lower than approximately 15% of Nebraska communities. When compared to cities of similar population size, Papillion demonstrates a noticeably lower crime rate than the average, suggesting it is safer than most (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The city’s safety score is rated at 81/100, categorized as “Safer Than Average” (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Housing Costs and Market Trends

The housing market in Papillion is robust, with a median home value of $311,000 as of 2024 (as reported by Data USA). This represents a 6.91% increase from the previous year. The homeownership rate in Papillion is 73.9%, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA).

Rental prices are also a factor, with a median rent of $1,172 per month (as reported by PayScale). Housing expenses in Papillion are generally lower than the national average, with some sources indicating they are 27% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale). However, other data suggests Papillion housing is 17.3% higher than the national average, with a median home price of $335,000 in March 2026 (as reported by Redfin, AreaVibes).

Job Market and Economic Outlook

Papillion boasts a healthy job market, with an employed population of 13,481 residents (as reported by Data USA). The unemployment rate in Papillion was reported at 3.2% in February 2026 (as reported by Data Commons). The majority of the working population, 84.9%, is employed in professional or administrative positions, with 15.1% in hands-on or service-based jobs (as reported by Data USA).

The average annual salary in Papillion is approximately $44,710, with salaries ranging between $31,250 and $54,650 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, other sources indicate a median household income of $111,679 (as reported by Data USA, Papillion Demographics) and an average per capita income of $65,299 (as reported by Papillion Demographics).

Climate and Weather Patterns

Papillion experiences distinct seasonal weather variations. Temperatures typically range from 13°F to 86°F throughout the year, with an average annual precipitation of 33 inches, including 31 inches of snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Summers are warm, humid, and wet, while winters are freezing, snowy, and windy (as reported by World Climate).

The wet season lasts for approximately 5.8 months, from April to October, with June seeing the most rainfall at an average of 4.3 inches. The drier season extends from October to April, with January receiving the least rain (as reported by World Climate). The city experiences about 134 days of comfortable weather annually, with the best times to visit being May to June and mid-August to October (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and School Ratings

Papillion is served by the Papillion-La Vista School District, which is highly rated. Public schools in Papillion achieve an average ranking of 8/10, placing them in the top 30% of Nebraska public schools (as reported by Niche). The district has a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1, with 12,039 students in grades PK-12 (as reported by Niche).

Students in Papillion demonstrate strong academic performance, with an average math proficiency score of 69% and a reading proficiency score of 60%. These scores are notably higher than the state averages of 58% for math and 47% for reading (as reported by Niche). Top-ranked schools in the district include Prairie Queen Elementary School and Liberty Middle School (as reported by Niche).

Demographics and Community Profile

Papillion is home to approximately 25,244 residents, with a median age of 41.1 years (as reported by Data USA). The population is predominantly White, making up 82.5% of residents, followed by Hispanic (8.6%) and Black (3.9%) populations (as reported by Papillion Demographics). The citizenship rate is high, with 96.3% of residents being U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA).

The median household income in Papillion is $111,679 (as reported by Data USA, Papillion Demographics), which is significantly higher than the national average. The poverty rate is low, standing at 3.2% of families (as reported by Papillion Demographics). The average household size is three members, with 72.8% of households being families (as reported by Data USA).

Cost of Living Considerations

The overall cost of living in Papillion is slightly higher than the U.S. national average, with a cost of living index of 104 (as reported by AreaVibes). Housing expenses are a significant factor, with some data indicating they are 17.3% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes), while others suggest housing costs are 27% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale).

Other expenses, such as food, utilities, and transportation, are generally in line with or slightly lower than national averages. For example, utility prices are reported to be 20% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale), and transportation costs are 4% lower (as reported by PayScale). These varying figures suggest a nuanced view of affordability, with housing being the primary driver of cost differences.

Major Employers and Economic Drivers

While specific major employers are not detailed in the provided search results, the economic landscape of Papillion is shaped by its professional and administrative sectors. These sectors employ 84.9% of the city’s workforce (as reported by Data USA). The city’s proximity to Omaha also suggests that many residents commute to the larger metropolitan area for employment opportunities.

The presence of a skilled workforce and a stable economic environment makes Papillion attractive to businesses. The growing population and median household income also contribute to a strong local economy, supporting various service and retail industries within the city.