Cost of living in Nebraska
Statewide averages from BEA, with every metro area in the state compared.
What the numbers say
- Overall prices in Nebraska are 9.9% below the national average, the 41st most expensive of 51 states and DC (BEA 2024).
- Utilities stand out in Nebraska: household electricity, gas, water and sewer prices are 24.4% below the US average.
- Compared with the rest of the country, Nebraska has become less expensive since 2019: the index went from 92.5 to 90.1, and its rank from 37th to 41st most expensive.
- After adjusting for local prices, personal income per person is $65,297 in 2017 dollars, 6th of 51 (BEA 2024).
- Within Nebraska, metro price levels run from 86.5 in Sioux City, IA to 91.9 in Omaha, NE (US = 100).
- In Nebraska, housing (24.8% below average) and everyday costs (goods 5.9% below average, other services 7.0% below average) are both below the US level, so the gap is broad rather than just rent.
Written from this page's own figures. Price levels are for an average household basket and do not include taxes. How we calculate.
Where the money goes
Statewide price levels by category. Cities and rural areas within the state can differ a lot; see the metro table below.
In Nebraska, housing is the category furthest from the US average: 24.8% below
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
Bars to the right of the line cost more than the US average; to the left, less.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Nebraska | |
|---|---|
| All items | 90.1 |
| Goods | 94.1 |
| Housing (rents) | 75.2 |
| Utilities | 75.6 |
| Other services | 93.0 |
Gas prices
Regular gasoline averaged $4.14 a gallon in the Midwest region in the week of October 19, 2026, $0.14 less than the US average of $4.28. EIA does not publish a separate weekly figure for Nebraska, so this is the regional average. official
Work out your commute's gas cost
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, weekly retail gasoline prices, regular grade, including taxes.
Cheapest places to live in Nebraska
By overall prices, the cheapest of the 4 metro areas BEA measures in Nebraska are Sioux City, IA (86.5), Grand Island, NE (86.7) and Lincoln, NE (91.6); the most expensive is Omaha, NE (91.9). US average = 100, BEA 2024. Rural areas are not listed separately.
Sioux City, IA is the cheapest metro area in Nebraska (86.5); Omaha, NE the most expensive (91.9)
Overall price level, 2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| All items | |
|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA | 86.5 |
| Grand Island, NE | 86.7 |
| Lincoln, NE | 91.6 |
| Omaha, NE | 91.9 |
| Metro area | Overall | Housing | Goods | Utilities | Other services | Typical rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA | 86.5 | 57.8 | 94.0 | 82.7 | 92.7 | $1,295 |
| Grand Island, NE | 86.7 | 61.7 | 94.1 | 74.2 | 93.0 | $1,340 |
| Lincoln, NE | 91.6 | 84.2 | 94.1 | 76.8 | 93.0 | $1,281 |
| Omaha, NE | 91.9 | 86.4 | 94.1 | 76.4 | 93.0 | $1,398 |
Price levels: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How prices have changed since 2008
Price levels relative to the whole country in each year, not inflation.
Nebraska has stayed below the US average since 2008
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Nebraska | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 89.6 |
| 2009 | 90.6 |
| 2010 | 92.1 |
| 2011 | 91.4 |
| 2012 | 92.3 |
| 2013 | 91.8 |
| 2014 | 91.8 |
| 2015 | 91.2 |
| 2016 | 90.8 |
| 2017 | 89.8 |
| 2018 | 91.8 |
| 2019 | 92.5 |
| 2020 | 92.8 |
| 2021 | 92.0 |
| 2022 | 89.8 |
| 2023 | 90.3 |
| 2024 | 90.1 |
Goods: 89.5 in 2008, 94.1 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Nebraska | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 89.5 |
| 2009 | 92.4 |
| 2010 | 95.5 |
| 2011 | 95.5 |
| 2012 | 96.5 |
| 2013 | 95.9 |
| 2014 | 97.0 |
| 2015 | 97.1 |
| 2016 | 96.2 |
| 2017 | 95.1 |
| 2018 | 94.6 |
| 2019 | 97.2 |
| 2020 | 96.0 |
| 2021 | 94.6 |
| 2022 | 93.9 |
| 2023 | 96.5 |
| 2024 | 94.1 |
Housing (rents): 71.6 in 2008, 75.2 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Nebraska | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 71.6 |
| 2009 | 71.5 |
| 2010 | 74.6 |
| 2011 | 75.9 |
| 2012 | 75.5 |
| 2013 | 73.5 |
| 2014 | 73.4 |
| 2015 | 75.4 |
| 2016 | 74.3 |
| 2017 | 72.5 |
| 2018 | 73.2 |
| 2019 | 72.7 |
| 2020 | 76.4 |
| 2021 | 75.6 |
| 2022 | 73.3 |
| 2023 | 74.3 |
| 2024 | 75.2 |
Utilities: 76.1 in 2008, 75.6 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Nebraska | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 76.1 |
| 2009 | 78.1 |
| 2010 | 79.8 |
| 2011 | 78.8 |
| 2012 | 81.4 |
| 2013 | 82.2 |
| 2014 | 78.7 |
| 2015 | 80.1 |
| 2016 | 79.4 |
| 2017 | 82.2 |
| 2018 | 87.3 |
| 2019 | 86.1 |
| 2020 | 87.2 |
| 2021 | 86.3 |
| 2022 | 84.8 |
| 2023 | 79.4 |
| 2024 | 75.6 |
Other services: 97.2 in 2008, 93.0 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Nebraska | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.2 |
| 2009 | 97.1 |
| 2010 | 96.4 |
| 2011 | 94.5 |
| 2012 | 95.6 |
| 2013 | 95.6 |
| 2014 | 95.3 |
| 2015 | 93.1 |
| 2016 | 93.3 |
| 2017 | 92.4 |
| 2018 | 96.5 |
| 2019 | 96.7 |
| 2020 | 96.7 |
| 2021 | 95.9 |
| 2022 | 92.5 |
| 2023 | 91.9 |
| 2024 | 93.0 |
What incomes buy here
BEA divides personal income by local prices, so a dollar in a cheap state counts for more. This is income per resident (wages, benefits, investment income), not household or take-home pay.
After adjusting for prices, income per person in Nebraska is $65,297, 6th of 51
Real personal income per person, constant 2017 dollars (adjusted for local price levels and inflation).
- Nebraska
- United States
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, real personal income by state (SARPI), 2008–2024.
Show the numbers
| Nebraska | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $50,485 | $45,816 |
| 2009 | $48,971 | $44,204 |
| 2010 | $49,374 | $44,808 |
| 2011 | $53,857 | $45,957 |
| 2012 | $53,241 | $46,796 |
| 2013 | $52,274 | $46,358 |
| 2014 | $54,141 | $47,661 |
| 2015 | $56,132 | $49,396 |
| 2016 | $54,694 | $49,828 |
| 2017 | $55,285 | $51,006 |
| 2018 | $54,996 | $52,242 |
| 2019 | $55,976 | $53,683 |
| 2020 | $58,746 | $56,514 |
| 2021 | $63,655 | $59,365 |
| 2022 | $63,701 | $57,104 |
| 2023 | $65,780 | $58,088 |
| 2024 | $65,297 | $59,195 |
Compare Nebraska with other states
States with similar prices
- North Dakota 89.0
- Tennessee 91.9
- New Mexico 92.2
- Missouri 90.8
- South Dakota 88.6
Sources and limits
- Price levels and real income: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Regional Price Parities and real personal income by state, 2008–2024. Last updated February 19, 2026: new statistics for 2024; revised statistics for 2008-2023. Downloaded 2026-10-21.
- Metro price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities by metro area. Typical rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- State figures average cities and rural areas. Taxes are not included. BEA figures lag by about 18 months.