Cost of Living in Nebraska

Avg Index: 69

17 cities · Updated March 2026

$1,000
Avg Rent / Month
$69,753
Avg Income
$202,770
Avg Home Value
69
Avg Cost Index
6.64%
Income Tax
5.5%
Sales Tax
Cheapest in Nebraska
Beatrice
Index: 52 · Rent: $753/mo
Most Expensive in Nebraska
Papillion
Index: 93 · Rent: $1,210/mo

Nebraska Cost of Living Overview

Nebraska is significantly more affordable than the national average, with a state-wide cost index of 69. The average monthly rent across Nebraska cities is $1,000, with median household incomes averaging $69,753 per year. The cheapest city is Beatrice (index 52) and the most expensive is Papillion (index 93).

Nebraska has a moderate tax environment with a 6.64% top income tax rate, 5.5% sales tax, and 1.73% effective property tax rate.

All 17 Cities in Nebraska — Ranked by Cost

Sorted from cheapest to most expensive (US average = 100)

#CityCost Index RentIncomeHome ValuePopulation
1 Beatrice 52 $753/mo $54,583 $152,900 12,233
2 Lexington 59 $921/mo $62,364 $155,200 10,693
3 North Platte 59 $882/mo $57,805 $159,500 23,030
4 Hastings 60 $858/mo $61,202 $177,200 25,005
5 Scottsbluff 60 $966/mo $53,448 $141,300 14,406
6 Columbus 62 $871/mo $67,212 $198,900 24,188
7 Norfolk 62 $850/mo $62,175 $199,100 25,962
8 Grand Island 65 $913/mo $62,439 $202,600 52,761
9 South Sioux 67 $1,083/mo $68,397 $160,900 13,871
10 Fremont 68 $1,005/mo $67,179 $194,400 27,321
11 Kearney 70 $922/mo $69,790 $235,800 34,024
12 Lincoln 77 $1,045/mo $69,991 $248,200 291,932
13 Omaha 80 $1,150/mo $72,708 $230,100 488,197
14 Chalco 81 $1,103/mo $81,427 $224,400 10,625
15 Bellevue 83 $1,202/mo $87,343 $230,800 64,355
16 La Vista 86 $1,267/mo $78,145 $244,900 16,594
17 Papillion 93 $1,210/mo $109,602 $290,900 24,063

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about cost of living in Nebraska

What is the cost of living in Nebraska?
The average cost of living index across 17 cities in Nebraska is 69 (US average = 100). Average rent is $1,000/month and median household income averages $69,753/year.
What is the cheapest city in Nebraska?
The cheapest city in Nebraska is Beatrice with a cost index of 52, median rent of $753/month, and median income of $54,583/year.
What is the most expensive city in Nebraska?
The most expensive city in Nebraska is Papillion with a cost index of 93, median rent of $1,210/month, and median income of $109,602/year.
What are taxes like in Nebraska?
Nebraska has a top income tax rate of 6.64%, a sales tax of 5.5%, and an effective property tax rate of 1.73%.
How many cities does CostToLive cover in Nebraska?
We track cost of living data for 17 cities in Nebraska with populations of 10,000 or more, using US Census Bureau ACS 2023 data.