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Cost of living in Nebraska

Everyday prices in Nebraska run 9.9% below the US average, the 11th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Nebraska next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
NebraskaUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Nebraska?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$100,600
Typical household incomeA year · 13th highest of 51
14%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,194/mo) against median income ($100,600). 1st lowest of 51.
3.3
Years of income to buy a home$335,000 median listing against $100,600 income. 1st lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Nebraska?

366 more people left Nebraska for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in Nebraska

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA8% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,366
    Typical home
    $389,498
    Mortgage
    $2,140/mo

Nebraska next to its neighbors

The states that border Nebraska, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 3Iowa12% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,049
    Typical home
    $284,900
    Net moves
    -970
  2. 6South Dakota11% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,148
    Typical home
    $375,000
    Net moves
    +2,169
  3. 10Kansas10% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,116
    Typical home
    $296,000
    Net moves
    -519
  4. 11NebraskaThis state10% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,194
    Typical home
    $335,000
    Net moves
    -366
Show 3 more
  1. 13Missouri9% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,121
    Typical home
    $300,000
    Net moves
    +14,028
  2. 16Wyoming7% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,035
    Typical home
    $496,500
    Net moves
    +1,474
  3. 39Colorado3% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,900
    Typical home
    $564,000
    Net moves
    -12,100

Nebraska by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Nebraska next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Nebraska90.175.2$335,000$1,841$1,194
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Metro areas in Nebraska

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA91.9$1,366$389,498

Nebraska next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
Nebraska90.1$1,194$335,000-366
Colorado103.1$1,900$564,000-12,100
Iowa87.8$1,049$284,900-970
Kansas90.1$1,116$296,000-519
Missouri90.8$1,121$300,000+14,028
South Dakota88.6$1,148$375,000+2,169
Wyoming92.7$1,035$496,500+1,474

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-5,123
2020-21-5,817
2021-22-4,533
2022-23-1,074
2023-24-1,540
2024-25-366

States with a similar cost of living to Nebraska

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Nebraska cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Nebraska?

Everyday prices in Nebraska run 9.9% below the US average, the 11th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 75.2 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $335,000 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $1,841 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,194 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $120,070 in Nebraska.

Is Nebraska cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. Nebraska's regional price parity is 90.1, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 9.9% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Nebraska?

The median listed home in Nebraska is $335,000 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 16th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $1,841 a month.

How much is rent in Nebraska?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Nebraska is $1,194 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Nebraska equals $150,000 in New York?

About $120,070, using BEA regional price parities for Nebraska (90.1) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Nebraska?

366 more people left Nebraska for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
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