Cost of Living in Nebraska
Updated November 2026 · population 1,978,707
Nebraska prices are 9.9% below the US average (index 90.1), ranking 41st most expensive of 51 states and DC; housing is the biggest saving at 75.2, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,306 a month.
Prices by category
Nebraska price index by category, US average = 100: All items 90.1, Housing (rents) 75.2, Goods 94.1, Utilities 75.6, Other services 93.0
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Nebraska (whole state) | 90.1 |
| Metropolitan areas of Nebraska | 91.9 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Nebraska | 86.3 |
Cities in Nebraska
Select a column heading to sort.
| Omaha | 488,837 | 92.3 | $2,414 | $4,876 | $1,187 | $245,500 |
| Lincoln | 294,856 | 91.8 | $2,355 | $4,856 | $1,086 | $264,000 |
| Bellevue | 64,510 | 92.8 | $2,449 | $5,135 | $1,226 | $247,000 |
| Grand Island | 52,884 | 88.0 | $2,169 | $4,527 | $947 | $218,600 |
Metro areas in Nebraska
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | 91.9 | 86.4 |
| Lincoln, NE | 91.6 | 84.2 |
| Grand Island, NE | 86.7 | 61.7 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 86.5 | 57.8 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Nebraska.
Modelled monthly budget at Nebraska average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Nebraska (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $775 | $9,300 | 34% |
| Utilities | $203 | $2,436 | 9% |
| Food at home | $265 | $3,180 | 11% |
| Transportation | $579 | $6,948 | 25% |
| Health care | $327 | $3,924 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $157 | $1,884 | 7% |
| Total | $2,306 | $27,672 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Nebraska (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $904 | $10,848 | 24% |
| Utilities | $323 | $3,876 | 9% |
| Food at home | $490 | $5,880 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,146 | $13,752 | 30% |
| Health care | $606 | $7,272 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $309 | $3,708 | 8% |
| Total | $3,778 | $45,336 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Nebraska (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,091 | $13,092 | 23% |
| Utilities | $393 | $4,716 | 8% |
| Food at home | $699 | $8,388 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,527 | $18,324 | 33% |
| Health care | $564 | $6,768 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $398 | $4,776 | 9% |
| Total | $4,672 | $56,064 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
13.54¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +5.8% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +45.0% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the Midwest region rose +4.2% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 92.5 | 92.8 | 92.0 | 89.8 | 90.3 | 90.1 |
Change over the period: −2.4 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nebraska an expensive state to live in?
Nebraska has a cost of living index of 90.1 (US = 100), 9.9% below the US average. It ranks 41st of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 75.2 (rank 35), goods 94.1, utilities 75.6 and other services 93.0. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Nebraska?
At Nebraska state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,306 for a single adult, $3,778 for a couple and $4,672 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 91.9 and nonmetro areas 86.3.
What is the median rent and home value in Nebraska?
The median gross rent in Nebraska is $1,072 a month and the median home value is $238,600 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 27.9% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 31.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, Midwest region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology