Cost of Living in Omaha, NE
Updated November 2026 · Douglas County · Omaha, NE-IA metro area · population 488,837
Prices in Omaha are 7.7% below the US average (local index 92.3; the BEA index for the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is 91.9), with utilities the biggest saving at 76.4; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,414 a month and the median rent is $1,187.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Omaha's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, unchanged.
Omaha price index by category, US average = 100: All items 92.3, Housing (rents) 87.4, Goods 94.1, Utilities 76.4, Other services 93.0
Cheaper than 85% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 94.9 | 95.0 | 93.8 | 92.0 | 92.5 | 91.9 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Omaha, NE
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $870 | $10,440 | 36% |
| Utilities | $205 | $2,460 | 8% |
| Food at home | $265 | $3,180 | 11% |
| Transportation | $590 | $7,080 | 24% |
| Health care | $327 | $3,924 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $157 | $1,884 | 7% |
| Total | $2,414 | $28,968 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Omaha, NE
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,043 | $12,516 | 26% |
| Utilities | $325 | $3,900 | 8% |
| Food at home | $490 | $5,880 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,167 | $14,004 | 30% |
| Health care | $606 | $7,272 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $309 | $3,708 | 8% |
| Total | $3,940 | $47,280 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Omaha, NE
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,266 | $15,192 | 26% |
| Utilities | $395 | $4,740 | 8% |
| Food at home | $699 | $8,388 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,554 | $18,648 | 32% |
| Health care | $564 | $6,768 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $398 | $4,776 | 8% |
| Total | $4,876 | $58,512 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Omaha
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $955 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,031 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,236 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,500 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,708 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,187 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $1,002 |
| Median home value | $245,500 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,783/mo |
| Median household income | $73,201 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 30.0% |
| Home value ÷ household income Affordable | 3.4× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Nebraska
13.54¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +5.8% (from 12.80¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 957 kWh a month in Nebraska ≈ $122/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +45.0% (from $2.83) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Nebraska is covered by the Midwest (PADD 2) average.
Inflation in the Midwest
Consumer prices in the Midwest Census region rose +4.2% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Omaha are 7.7% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $65,000 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 92.3. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue, NE | 10 mi | 92.8 | $2,449 | $1,226 |
| Council Bluffs, IA | 11 mi | 90.2 | $2,230 | $1,030 |
| Lincoln, NE | 45 mi | 91.8 | $2,355 | $1,086 |
| Sioux City, IA | 87 mi | 86.6 | $2,222 | $976 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal, IL | 92.3 | $2,384 | $965 |
| Kettering, OH | 92.3 | $2,348 | $1,051 |
| Augusta, GA | 92.3 | $2,405 | $1,142 |
| Temple, TX | 92.3 | $2,485 | $1,231 |
| Broken Arrow, OK | 92.2 | $2,449 | $1,320 |
| Blue Springs, MO | 92.4 | $2,302 | $1,277 |
Compare Omaha with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Omaha, NE an expensive place to live?
Omaha has a local cost of living index of 92.3, which is 7.7% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Omaha, NE-IA metro area (91.9) and adjusts housing to Omaha's own rents. It is 2.2 points above the Nebraska average. Cheaper than 85% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Omaha?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,414 for a single adult, $3,940 for a couple and $4,876 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $55,400 in Omaha.
What is the average rent in Omaha?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,187 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $1,031, 2 bedrooms $1,236, 3 bedrooms $1,500. The typical renter spends 30.0% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Omaha?
The median owner-estimated home value is $245,500, 3.4 times the median household income of $73,201 (affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,783 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Omaha?
Nebraska residential electricity averaged 13.54¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.10 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Omaha, NE-IA metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 91.9) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 3137000 (Omaha city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Nebraska residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Midwest (PADD 2), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U Midwest region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources