Cost of Living in Nebraska
Housing costs, rent, income, and affordability for 584 cities in NE. Updated 2026.
Understanding the cost of living in Nebraska is essential whether you're planning a move, comparing job offers, or evaluating real estate investments. This page breaks down housing costs, rent prices, and median household income for every city in Nebraska, with comparisons to national averages.
Nebraska's average home value of $110,742 is 55% below the national median of $244,900. The average median household income is $59,689, and average monthly rent is $531.
Most Affordable Cities in Nebraska
Cities with population 5,000+ ranked by lowest median home value.
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Offutt AFB | $0 | $1,549/mo | $67,803 | 5,663 |
| 2 | Schuyler | $129,600 | $970/mo | $78,380 | 6,517 |
| 3 | Sidney | $137,300 | $914/mo | $51,704 | 6,396 |
| 4 | McCook | $137,400 | $783/mo | $51,815 | 7,360 |
| 5 | Scottsbluff | $141,300 | $966/mo | $53,448 | 14,406 |
| 6 | Nebraska City | $147,800 | $910/mo | $67,993 | 7,287 |
| 7 | Beatrice | $152,900 | $753/mo | $54,583 | 12,233 |
| 8 | Chadron | $153,300 | $1,044/mo | $54,026 | 5,207 |
| 9 | Lexington | $155,200 | $921/mo | $62,364 | 10,693 |
| 10 | Alliance | $156,300 | $743/mo | $65,599 | 8,089 |
| 11 | North Platte | $159,500 | $882/mo | $57,805 | 23,030 |
| 12 | South Sioux City | $160,900 | $1,083/mo | $68,397 | 13,871 |
| 13 | Holdrege | $166,600 | $740/mo | $55,263 | 5,503 |
| 14 | Gering | $170,700 | $818/mo | $70,244 | 8,567 |
| 15 | York | $170,900 | $887/mo | $62,632 | 8,114 |
Most Expensive Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gretna | $326,000 | $1,467/mo | $118,765 | 9,117 |
| 2 | Papillion | $290,900 | $1,210/mo | $109,602 | 24,063 |
| 3 | Lincoln | $248,200 | $1,045/mo | $69,991 | 291,932 |
| 4 | La Vista | $244,900 | $1,267/mo | $78,145 | 16,594 |
| 5 | Kearney | $235,800 | $922/mo | $69,790 | 34,024 |
| 6 | Seward | $232,500 | $986/mo | $70,000 | 7,665 |
| 7 | Bellevue | $230,800 | $1,202/mo | $87,343 | 64,355 |
| 8 | Omaha | $230,100 | $1,150/mo | $72,708 | 488,197 |
| 9 | Chalco | $224,400 | $1,103/mo | $81,427 | 10,625 |
| 10 | Ralston | $215,800 | $1,178/mo | $65,557 | 6,445 |
Highest Income Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gretna | $118,765 | $326,000 | 9,117 |
| 2 | Papillion | $109,602 | $290,900 | 24,063 |
| 3 | Bellevue | $87,343 | $230,800 | 64,355 |
| 4 | Chalco | $81,427 | $224,400 | 10,625 |
| 5 | Schuyler | $78,380 | $129,600 | 6,517 |
| 6 | La Vista | $78,145 | $244,900 | 16,594 |
| 7 | Blair | $76,292 | $211,000 | 7,868 |
| 8 | Crete | $76,258 | $203,900 | 7,521 |
| 9 | Omaha | $72,708 | $230,100 | 488,197 |
| 10 | Gering | $70,244 | $170,700 | 8,567 |
Cost of Living FAQ — Nebraska
What is the average cost of living in Nebraska?
The average median home value across Nebraska cities is $110,742, with average rent of $531/month. The average median household income is $59,689.
What are the cheapest cities in Nebraska?
The most affordable cities in Nebraska by home value include Offutt AFB ($0), Schuyler ($129,600), Sidney ($137,300).
What is the most expensive city in Nebraska?
The most expensive city in Nebraska is Gretna with a median home value of $326,000.
How does Nebraska compare to the national average?
Nebraska's average home value of $110,742 is below the national median of $244,900. Median rent of $531/month is below the US average of $1,163.